By BRANDON LaGARDE GSU Sports Media The Grambling State University Tigers take a high-scoring, explosive offense to Jackson State University as they look to extend a 2-game winning streak against their SWAC conference rival Saturday (Oct. 3).
The GSU (2-2, 2-0 SWAC) offense, led by senior quarterback Jonathan Williams, has been imposing their will on opponents' defense, scoring often -- and fast. The offense averages 42.8 points per game, throwing the ball for 305.2 yards per game. Williams has completed 78 of 150 passing attempts for 1,154 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. Williams was honored as the SWAC offensive player of week.
Broderick Fobbs, Grambling State's head football coach, said "Jackson State has always been a premier program in this conference. We know we will be getting a huge, big, physical team anytime we play Jackson State. That's something we know and something it's always been about."
In addition to the air attack, it's hard to slow down the G-Men passing attack because they keep defenses off balance with a bruising rushing attack. GSU has rushed 155 times this season averaging 155.5 yards per game.
The GSU defense has allowed over 50 points in three of four games as opponents pass the football regularly with success.
Jackson State (1-3, 1-1 SWAC) is coming off the team's first win of the season after relying on junior quarterback LaMontiez Ivy. He completed 22 of 27 passing attempts for 370 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
JSU relies on the passing game, averaging 330 yards per game. J-State's running game has been not been as effective, rushing 371 yards with two touchdowns and with an average of 92.8 yards per game.
The J-State defense will attempt to slow down the GSU offense, forcing the GSU to work to convert on third down, knowing GSU converts 36 percent of the time on third and about 20 percent when on fourth downs.
JSU's defense is almost certain to blitz GSU QB Williams to force him to work inside the pocket, attempting to keep him away from the running options outside of the pocket that have proven successful so often.
"For us we know they have a returning quarterback that plays well for them and played well this past weekend," Fobbs said. "Also, defensively they have few big guys that are really good at stopping the run.
"For us its understanding what we have. We're going into a hostile environment, there almost at the top of the conference when it comes to fan support and they rally we wouldn't have it any kind of other way."
GSU and JSU are likely to look forward to the fourth quarter, no matter the score at that point in the game. GSU outscores opponents 62-60 in the fourth quarter. Though GSU won the game against Prairie View A&M University, PV scored 20 points in the fourth quarter. GSU was on its way to a win against Bethune-Cookman University when BCU scored 29 points in the fourth to pull out a win.
The GSU-JSU matchup may produce some offensive fireworks, especially as GSU finds ways to get the ball to running back Martez "Mr. Excitement" Carter, honored as special teams player of the week by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and FCS STATS. Carter was selected after the GSU game against Prairie View A&M University in the Southwest State Fair Classic in Dallas where he ran two kickoffs for touchdowns – an 88-yard run and a 100-yard run -- and he scored two other touchdowns.
###
