Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications
Grambling State football returns to Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, looking to get back in the win column when the Tigers welcome Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchup.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. as Grambling State celebrates Senior Day, Military Appreciation Day and High School Day. The game will be streamed on SWAC TV.
Grambling State (4-4 overall, 2-3 SWAC) enters the matchup following a hard-fought 23-20 overtime loss at Texas Southern on Oct. 31. The Tigers will look to use their home-field advantage to close out their home schedule on a positive note while continuing to position themselves in the SWAC standings.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5-3, 3-2 SWAC) arrives in Grambling riding a three-game winning streak. The Golden Lions are coming off an impressive 63-21 victory over Bethune-Cookman, a game in which they totaled 451 yards of offense, including 333 rushing yards. UAPB also turned two interceptions into defensive touchdowns as part of a dominant performance.
Grambling State enters Saturday averaging 34.6 points and 396.3 yards of total offense per game. The Tigers have been productive through both the air and on the ground, averaging 225.8 passing yards and 170.5 rushing yards per contest.
Quarterback Jacobe Robinson has completed 56 of 87 passes for 759 yards and nine touchdowns while throwing two interceptions. Reginald Johnson has also contributed in the passing game, completing 47 of 60 attempts for 581 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Tyson George leads the Tigers with 38 receptions for 505 yards and seven touchdowns. Jordan Bride has added 25 catches for 371 yards, while Nae’Saan Dickerson has recorded 24 receptions for 352 yards and three touchdowns.
On the ground, D’Shaun Ford leads Grambling State with 230 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Jamarion Parker has totaled 199 yards on 31 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt, while Tony Phillips Jr. has contributed 192 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, the Tigers are led by Marcellius Johnson, who has recorded 57 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. Jon Horton has been disruptive up front with 38 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Christen Williams has added 32 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and an interception.
Grambling State will need a strong defensive effort against a Golden Lions offense that has established itself as one of the SWAC’s top rushing units.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff enters the weekend averaging 36.4 points and 396.6 yards of total offense per game. The Golden Lions have found much of their success on the ground, averaging 224.3 rushing yards per contest, which leads the SWAC.
UAPB has also been effective in the passing game, averaging 172.4 yards through the air while recording 19 passing touchdowns.
The Golden Lions demonstrated their explosive rushing ability in last week’s win over Bethune-Cookman. Jaylen Jennings rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns, including an 87-yard scoring run. Jalen Williams added 80 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Chris Hicks Jr. finished with 66 yards and a score.
UAPB’s defense has also played an important role in the team’s recent success. The Golden Lions have recorded 10 interceptions and 20 sacks through eight games. Against Bethune-Cookman, defensive backs Camare Jackson and Du’Wayne Paulhill each returned an interception for a touchdown as UAPB finished with a plus-four turnover margin.
The Golden Lions are allowing 29.6 points and 433.5 yards per game. However, their run defense has been a strength, surrendering just 130.4 rushing yards per contest, ranking among the best in the conference.
