By: Deja Harrison, Sports Information Staff
GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University football team will step outside of Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on Saturday with a trip to Alabama A&M. The tilt with the Bulldogs will not count toward the SWAC standings as both teams have eight conference opponents on their schedule. Kick-off from Louis Crews Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
Grambling State will broadcast the game on the Grambling State Sports Radio Network. The game can be heard in Ruston (KPCH 99.3 FM) and in Monroe (KJMG 97.3 FM). The Tigers broadcast crew of Santoria Black, Ossie Clark, Nick Harrison and Leon Thomas will call all of the action.
Grambling State (5-4) concluded home play last Saturday with a 24-19 win over Mississippi Valley State during Homecoming and Senior Day. The Tigers also finished with a 4-0 home record, while maintaining a 13-game winning streak in Eddie G. Robinson Stadium.
Alabama A&M (5-4) comes into the contest off a 45-14 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff last weekend. The Bulldogs racked up 26 first downs and 618 total yards of offense against the Golden Lions.
"We're pleased with winning and we're pleased with the fact that we're in this conference race despite everything that is going on," Grambling State head coach
Broderick Fobbs said. "We're right in the thick of it and even if things were going well, we'd still be in the position we are in right now, so we're fortunate, and we need to make sure we take advantage of that."
About The Game
> Saturday's game will be just the 25th meeting between Grambling State and Alabama A&M
> The Tigers lead the all-time series, 18-6, and have won the last two meetings (2014 and 2016)
> The series began in 1989 with Grambling State capturing a 34-22 victory
> The most points Grambling State scored in the series was 56 in 2016, while Alabama A&M scored 38 points in 2012
> Grambling State holds the longest win streak in the series at seven games 1999-2003) and is currently on a two-game win streak against the Bulldogs
> Saturday's game against the Bulldogs is a non-conference game. Both teams have eight conference opponents on their schedule
Grambling State - Last Time Out
> Grambling State enters the game off a 24-19 victory over Mississippi Valley State
> Grambling State's defense played the role of hero as the Tigers made two stops, one on fourth down, and one on a forced fumble, to seal the win
> GSU finished with 18 first downs and 445 total yards
>
Johntavious Robinson rushed for a career-high 130 yards on 17 carries
>
Geremy Hickbottom went 12 of 24 passing for 208 yards and three touchdowns
>
Danquarian Fields paced the defense with nine tackles, including six solo stops
>Grambling State was held without a first down in the opening quarter against UAPB, but finished the day with 16
>
Geremy Hickbottom's 25-yard touchdown pass to
Darrell Clark on the first play of overtime proved to be the game-winner
Alabama A&M - Last Time Out
> Alabama A&M is coming off a 45-14 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff
> The Bulldogs racked up 26 first downs and 618 total yards of offense against the Golden Lions
> Quarterback Ageel Glass was 21-of-42 passing for 359 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception
> Trevon Walters rushed 12 times for 152 yards and one score
Last Time Against Alabama A&M
> In 2016,
Devante Kincade threw for 241 yards and five touchdowns in a 56-17 victory
>
Jestin Kelly rushed 23 times for 200 yards and one score
>
Chad Williams, who is now a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, caught seven passes for 100 yards and three touchdowns
>
De'Arius Christmas led the way defensively with six total tackles, one forced fumble and one pass break-up
Inside The Numbers
> Grambling State head coach
Broderick Fobbs is 2-0 against Alabama A&M
> The Tigers will face their third straight first-year SWAC coach on Saturday as Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor took over the coaching duties during the offseason after four years at Hampton
> The Tigers are seeking their fifth win in the state of Alabama under Fobbs
> Grambling State has won its last games by an average of 6.0 points (Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Mississippi Valley State)
> Alabama A&M is averaging 28.0 points and 388.6 total yards per game
> Grambing State is averaging 29.4 points and 397.1 total yards per game
SWAC Scenarios
> Grambling State is in prime position for a SWAC West Division Championship
> Prairie View A&M's loss last weekend to Jackson State eliminated the Panthers from the SWAC West Division Crown
> The winner of the Bayou Classic will represent the West in the SWAC Championship
Up Next
The Tigers will have an open week (Nov. 17) before taking on SWAC West rivals Southern University in the 45th Annual Bayou Classic on Saturday, Nov. 24 in New Orleans, La. Kick-off from the Mercedes Benz Superdome is set for 4 p.m. and the game can be viewed live on the NBC Sports Network.
Follow Grambling State Athletics
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