Grambling State Athletic Communications
GRAMBLING, La. — Grambling State University is looking to get back on track on Saturday afternoon when it welcomes Alcorn State to town for a Southwestern Athletic Conference showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
GSU (3-2 overall, 0-1 SWAC) is hoping to put a five-overtime 36-34 loss to Prairie View A&M in the rear-view mirror, in hopes of earning its first SWAC win of the year. The Tigers led 17-7 at halftime but couldn’t fend off a furious second half rally by the Panthers.
Alcorn State (3-3, 2-0) currently occupies to top sport in the SWAC Western Division following wins over Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Braves are searching for their first win in Grambling since 2006.
Fans can also listen to game live on KGRM 91.5 FM and KPCH 99.3 The Peach with Onaje Morris (Play-by-Play), Nathan McCarter (Analyst) and Ta’Mya Johnson (Sideline).
Game Preview
All-Time Series: GSU leads, 47-25-3
Last Meeting: L, 25-24 (Oct. 7, 2024 at Lorman, Miss.)
LAST 5 Games vs. ASU
10/7/23 – ASU 25- 24
10/29/22 – GSU 35-6
10/9/21 – ASU 24-20
11/9/19 – GSU 19-16
10/20/18 – ASU 33-26
THE MATCH-UP
Grambling State returns to the gridiron to host Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) foe Alcorn State. GSU leads the all-time series 47-25-3. Grambling State enters Saturday’s game coming off a bye week. The Tigers dropped its previous game versus Prairie View A&M, 36-34, in five overtimes in the State Fair Classic. ASU enters Saturday’s game following a 38-28 homecoming victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
SO CLOSE…
Grambling State pushed Prairie View A&M to five overtimes before bowing out to the Panthers 36-34. GSU held a 17-7 lead at halftime, but a furious second half comeback by PVAMU gave then a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter. A 12-yard touchdown pass by Myles Crawley to Jalen Johnson with 38 second remining in regulation tied the game 24-24, sending the game into OT. GSU starting QB Myles Crawley threw for 286 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
TAKEAWAY LEADERS
Grambling State’s defense leads the nation defensive touchdowns (4). The Tigers are second in interceptions (10), third in total takeaways (16) and sixth in fumbles recovered (6). Brenden Barley is tied for second in the nation in interceptions with three.
THE OPPONENT
Alcorn State is looking for its first win in Grambling since 2006. The Braves are led by head coach Cedric Thomas in his first season at the helm. Alcorn State is led offensively by starting quarterback Xzavier Vaughn who leads the team in passing and rushing. Vaughn has thrown for 826 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 469 yards and eight TDs on 70 carries.
Defensively, linebacker Stemarion Edwards paces the Braves with 35.0 total tackles, 25 solo stops. 5.5 TFLs, 1.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. Defensive back Edwin Summerour leads the nation in interceptions with four INTs.
The Braves average 24.7 points per game while allowing 31.7 ppg.
PROTECTING HOME TURF
Historically, Grambling State is dominant in the friendly confines of Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium. The Tigers are 102-39-1 all-time in Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium since its opening in 1983. The first-ever game played in Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium was between Grambling State and Alcorn State. GSU won 28-0.
ROOKIE SENSATION
Returning to the field for the G-Men in 2024 is sophomore wide receiver Javon Robinson. The Homestead, Fla. native was named the SWAC Freshman of the Year following a season that saw him make a name for himself on offense and special teams. Robinson made 30 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 44 rushing yards on 10 carries. On special teams, he had 10 kick returns for 190 yards and fielded seven punts for 53 yards.
Robinson currently leads the GSU receiving corps with 20 receptions for 284 yards and a touchdown. He also has six kick returns for 190 yards.
THE MYLES CRAWLEY EXPERIENCE
Grambling State starting quarterback Myles Crawley was selected as the preseason SWAC Offensive Player of the Year. He was also placed on the Walter Payton Watch List. Last season, the Redshirt-Senior from Lithonia, Ga. threw for 2,303 yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 60.1 percent of his passes (197-of-328). He was the first Grambling State quarterback to throw for at least 2,000 yards in a season since Devante Kincaid in 2017 and the first GSU QB to throw at least 16 touchdowns since Geremy Hickbottom in 2018.
So far in 2024, Crawley has thrown for 1,048 yards, 9 TDs and 5 INTs. He is completing 58.8% of his passes (94-of-160)
THE “BOOT” IS HOME
Grambling State’s roster features 60 players from the state of Louisiana. This year’s team is also full of new faces with 68 new players wearing the black & gold this season.
SWAC PREDICTIONS
Grambling State was picked to finish third in the SWAC Western Division in the preseason projections. Alcorn State was projected to come in first with Prairie View A&M tabbed for second. Behind GSU in was Southern in fourth place Arkansas-Pine-Bluff in fifth and Texas Southern in sixth.
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