By: Grambling State Athletics
GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University football team returns to the road on Saturday when the Tigers travel to Huntsville, Alabama, to face Alabama A&M in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchup at Louis Crews Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT, with the game available on SWAC TV.
Grambling State enters the contest coming off an offensive showcase against Jackson State, earning a 45-38 victory on Oct. 10 at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium. The Tigers improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in SWAC play after scoring 45 points and totaling 438 yards of offense against the Tigers.
T
he victory featured another standout performance from quarterback
Jacobe Robinson, who completed 17 of 21 passes for 212 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Running back Davon Ford contributed 71 rushing yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver
Tyson George recorded eight receptions for 93 yards and a score.
Grambling State also made key plays defensively, recording two interceptions.
Marcellius Johnson and
Louis Foster each came away with a pick as the Tigers held off a Jackson State rally to secure the conference win.
Saturday's contest will mark the 32nd all-time meeting between GSU and AAMU. Grambling State leads the all-time series 22-9. The two teams first met in 1989 with the Tigers prevailing 34-22.
This game features two of the highest scoring offenses in the SWAC. GSU ranks third in the conference in socring offense, averaging 37.7 points per game. AAMU ranks fourth in the SWAC, scoring 37.1 ppg.
The G-Men defeated the Bulldogs 13-10 last season in Grambling, La. In that matchup, the GSU trailed 10-6 in the fourth quarter.
Delano Franklin returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown with just over seven minutes remaining, ultimately lifting the Tigers to victory.
Grambling State is searching for its first win in Huntsville since Nov. 10, 2018. GSU won that contest 29-16.
Alabama A&M also enters the matchup at 5-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play after a dominant 55-17 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 10. The Bulldogs used a 24-point third quarter to pull away, scoring 38 unanswered points in the second half.
Alabama A&M finished with 504 total yards, including 335 rushing yards, and took advantage of four Bethune-Cookman turnovers. Running back Byron Perrilliat rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, while wide receiver Jarel Williams caught four passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV connected with Williams for two scoring plays, including a 60-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
ROBINSON LEADS THE PASSING ATTACK
- Quarterback Jacobe Robinson has emerged as a key playmaker in Grambling State's offense. Against Jackson State, he completed 17 of 21 passes for 212 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown.
- Robinson's dual-threat ability creates challenges for opposing defenses. When defenses focus on taking away the passing game, he can use his mobility to extend plays or gain yards on the ground.
- Through the team's first six games, Robinson has completed 47 of 72 passes for 606 yards and eight touchdowns
TAKEAWAYS CAN CHANGE THE GAME
- Grambling State's defense produced two interceptions against Jackson State, including Marcellius Johnson'scrucial fourth-quarter takeaway.
- Johnson finished with seven tackles and an interception, while Louis Foster also recorded an interception.
- Creating turnovers will be a major emphasis against Alabama A&M quarterback Cornelious Brown IV, who has thrown four interceptions through seven games.
POTENT OFFENSE
- Grambling State's offense has cranked up its production over the past couple of weeks.
- After scoring just 14 points versus Prairie View A&M, the G-Men responded by putting up 63 points in their victory over Alcorn State on Oct. 3
- GSU followed that performance witha 45-point outing versus one the SWAC's top defenses in Jackson State.
- GSU ranks third in the conference and 12th nationally in scoring offense (37.7 ppg.)
TEAM EFFORT AT RUNNING BACK
- Grambling State has run the ball well this season, averaging 184.3 yards per game.
- GSU has already surpassed last season's rushing touchdown total. Last year, the Tigers accumulated 15 rushing TDs. This season, through six games, Grambling State has 16 touchdows via the run game.
- The Tigers have spread carries among multiple running backs. D'Shaun Ford leadsthe effort with 204 yards and five touchdowns on 49 carries.
- Jamarion Paker, Tony Phillips Jr., Byron Eaton and Clyde McClendon Jr. have all received significant reps in the backfled.
- Parker is second on the team with 197 yards and touchdown on 23 carries. Phillips Jr. has 131 yards and two scores, while Eaton 128 yards and a TD.
PRESSURE THE QUARTERBACK
- Grambling State recorded two sacks against Jackson State, with Donte Hookfin and Demone Green contributing to the pass rush.
- Hookfin finished with three tackles for loss and a sack, while Green recorded a tackle for loss and a sack.
- On the season, the Tigers have recorded 13 sacks, tied for fifth most in the SWAC.
- Defensive End Jon Horton has led the charge, registering 4.0 sacks this season.
ALABAMA A&M AT A GLANCE
- Alabama A&M enters Saturday's game tied for first place in the SWAC Eastern Division.
- The Bulldogs feature the top defense in the conference. AAMU ranks first in total defeanse (285.0 ypg). Alabama A&M also ranks second in the SWAC in scoring defense (18.4 ppg), rushing defense (129.3 ypg) and passing defense (155.7 ypg).
- DJ Baerber leads AAMU's defense with 72.0 total tackles (28 solo). He has 3.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.
- The Bulldogs are also top five in the SWAC in several offensive categories. They rank second in passing offense (270.0 ypg.).
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