By T. Scott Boatright

Grambling State will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss with a Homecoming win as the Tigers play host to Alabama A&M starting at 2 p.m. today at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium.

The Tigers saw a three-game win streak snapped last weekend at Alcorn State as the Braves held off a late GSU rally attempt to hold on for a 25-24 win that dropped Grambling to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

“It was a humbling defeat for us,” said GSU coach Hue Jackson. “Obviously we didn’t think we played as well as Alcorn did. They defended their home and did a very good job. It was very disappointing that we weren’t able to go in there and get a victory.

“So we need to get back at it. We’ve got a home game, it’s our Homecoming, so we need to go win a game this week.”

That loss came despite a strong defensive effort by the G-Men, who had  two fumble recoveries, an interception and five sacks against the Braves.But Grambling struggled offensively, gaining only 299 yards. The Tigers’ rushing attack was held to 60 yards after averaging more than 200 yards per game heading into the contest.

“The disappointment was we know we can play better, especially on offense,” Jackson said. “But I must be very transparent — Alcorn had a lot to do with that. We have to do a better job of making sure our players know exactly what’s going on in the moment. And we get it.

“We fought tooth and nail. It was a 24-25 game where some games we were in we were blown out. We thought we were going to win this thing at the end. In our minds we should have.”

GSU quarterback Myles Crawley was held to 233 aerial yards on 14-of-27 passing with only one touchdown while being picked off three times.

“The first one, that had nothing to do with him,” Jackson said of the interceptions thrown by Crawley. “That was a protection issue we had. It’s something we need to shore up as a football team. The second one, he should have put the ball in a different spot.

“And the third one, late in the game you just wish he would have checked down. But that first one wasn’t on him. He had played well all year, but those or the things that lead to other teams winning and you not winning. He understands that. He’ll grow from it and get better from it.”

Alabama A&M (3-3, 1-2) is coming off a 45-30 loss last weekend in the Gulf Coast Challenge against Jackson State. The Bulldogs fell behind 21-0 early and trailed 35-7 at the half but rallied back to give themselves a chance to win before falling short in the end.

“The Bulldogs are big, physical, talented, aggressive — they’re playing well,” Jackson said. “They have good players, good schemes, Coach (Connell) Maynor has done a great job there. It’s going to be a big-time game for us.”

Jackson also knows that Alabama A&M showed it’s a team that can hurt opponents in multiple ways and fight until the very end.

“We’re going to prepare for it all. You better play every snap against this team. They were down 35-0 at half (against Jackson State) and came roaring back and had a chance to win the game. So there’s no lead that’s safe, there’s no quarter you’re safe from. You’ve got to play until there is 0:00 left on the scoreboard.

“Our guys have seen every time you go out whether it’s at home or on the road, you’ve got to be at your best and you’ve got to play as good as you can week in and week out.”