GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University football team will look to bounce back from a road loss to Alcorn State on Saturday when Arkansas-Pine Bluff comes to town for a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game. Saturday’s game is Military Appreciation and Breast Cancer Awareness Day as kickoff from Eddie G Robinson Stadium is set for 2 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 (3-4 overall, 2-2 SWAC) comes into Saturday’s tilt having won two of their last three games. The Tigers suffered a 33-26 loss to Alcorn State last Saturday in Lorman, Miss., which hadn’t happened in 21 years (1997). Marc Orozco enters the game against the Golden Lions needing just one point to break Brian Morgan’s all-time SWAC and GSU career record for scoring points.
“It’s kind of hard not to know, because people keep talking about it,” Orozco said about the record. “I can’t wait to get it off my chest and get it out of the way, so I can focus more on the season.”
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-6, 0-3) is still searching for its first SWAC victory after being edged last week, 48-47, in double-overtime to Mississippi Valley State. The Golden Lions’ lone win came in Week 2 (55-0 over Cumberland University).
“Watching them (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) on film, they play extremely hard and you can tell that they are well-coached,” Grambling State head coach Broderick Fobbs said. “They’re going to be tough. Right now we are the reigning champ in our league, and everyone is taking their shots at us, so we have to make sure we are prepared to compete.”
About The Game
> This will be the 43rd meeting, with Grambling State leading the series, 29-11-2
> The series began in 1951 with Arkansas-Pine Bluff capturing a 25-13 victory
> The most points Grambling State scored in the series was 70 in 2016, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff scored 54 points in 1998
> Grambling State holds the longest win streak in the series at 11 games and is currently on a four-game win streak against the Golden Lions
Grambling State – Last Time Out
> Grambling State enters the game off a 33-26 SWAC loss against Alcorn State
> For the first time in the Broderick Fobbs era, the Tigers suffered a defeat in the month of October
> The loss at Alcorn State was the first for Grambling State in 21 years (1997), which was also the final season Eddie Robinson roamed the sideline
> Grambling State recorded 19 first downs finished with 376 total yards (nearly 100 yards more than Alcorn State), including 292 through the air
> Marc Orozco booted four fields for the first time in his collegiate career, including a career-long 52-yard field goal in the third quarter
> With either a field goal or an extra point on Saturday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Marc Orozco will break Brian Morgan’s SWAC and GSU career record for points. Both are sitting on 325 career points
> Geremy Hickbottom was 20 of 36 passing for 279 yards and one interception
> Geremy Hickbottom led the ground game with 17 touches for 115 yards, but gained only 54 net yards
Arkansas-Pine Bluff – Last Time Out
> Arkansas-Pine Bluff is still searching for its first SWAC win as the Golden Lions were edged in double-overtime by Mississippi Valley State, 48-47
> The Golden Lions had 25 first downs and 503 total yards of offense against the Delta Devils
> Skyler Perry was 18-of-33 passing for 257 yards and three scores, while Taeyler Porter rushed 37 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns
Last Time Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff
> Grambling State held off a late charge by Arkansas-Pine Bluff to capture a 31-26 victory last season in Pine Bluff, Ark.
> The Tigers racked up 365 total yards, including 254 through the air, and 21 first downs
> Devante Kincade was 28 of 42 passing for 254 yards and three touchdowns, while carrying the ball six times for 36 yards
> Darrell Clark and Calief Samon each caught five passes
> Ja’Terious Pouncy registered seven tackles and one interception
Inside The Numbers
> Grambling State has won 27 out of its last 29 SWAC games, dating back to the beginning of the 2015 season
> The Tigers are 15-1 in the month of October under head coach Broderick Fobbs
> Grambling State has won its last 11 home games and has not lost at home since Sept. 19, 2015 (56-53 loss to Bethune-Cookman)
> The Tigers look to remain perfect (4-0) against Arkansas-Pine Bluff during the Broderick Fobbs era
> Marc Orozco needs just one (1) point to become the all-time career GSU and SWAC leader in points scored
> Alcorn State is averaging 26.7 points and 442.0 total yards per game
> Grambing State is averaging 28.0 points and 382.7 total yards per game
Accolades
> Marc Orozco was named the SWAC Specialist of the Week
> De’Arius Christmas is a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy
SWAC Scenarios
> In order for Grambling State to reach the SWAC Championship, the Tigers will need help and it all starts this weekend when Alcorn State and Prairie View A&M meet. A win for Alcorn State keeps the Tigers’ chances alive. However, a loss would more than likely knock Grambling State out of the hunt
Up Next
The Tigers wrap up their home campaign on Saturday, Nov. 3 with Homecoming and Senior Day as Mississippi Valley State visits Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium. Kickoff against the Delta Devils is set for 2 p.m.
Remaining Home Game Tickets Still Available
Remaining home game tickets are on still sale at the GSU Ticket office and fan are encouraged to visit www.gsutigers.com or call the ticket office to purchase tickets. For more information on purchasing season tickets, call (318) 274-2625 or (318) 274-2629.
Follow Grambling State Athletics
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Brian Howard
Sports Information Director
Grambling State University
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