Grambling State picks up first shutout since 2011
GRAMBLING, La. | Malik Route scored on a career-long 79-yard punt return and De’Arius Christmas returned an interception 66 yards as the Grambling State University football team cruised to its first shutout win since 2011 with a 34-0 win over Alabama State on Saturday night at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers (1-2 overall, 1-0 SWAC) got a 79-yard punt return by Route to give Grambling State a quick 7-0 lead with 10:32 remaining in the opening quarter.
Grambling State extended the lead to 14-0 when Aldon Clark scored on an 11-yard with 5:56 left and on the very next the Alabama State drive, Christmas returned a deflected Darryl Pearson pass 66 yards for a touchdown as the Tigers built a 21-0 advantage through one quarter.
Marc Orozco, who came into the game 44 points shy of becoming the all-time leader in points by a kicker, booted the first of two field goals, a 21-yarder, to extend the lead to 24-0 with 6:39 left in the first half. He connected on a 29-yard field goal with 1:24 remaining in the third quarter to push the margin to 27-0.
Midway through the final quarter, Geremy Hickbottom completed a pass to Kobe Ross and he was stripped of the football and Devohn Lindsey fell on it in the endzone to give the Tigers a 34-0 advantage.
Turning Point
Grambling State scored in all three phases of the game on Saturday and built a 21-0 first quarter lead.
Route’s punt return and Christmas’ interception return proved to be too much for the Hornets as Alabama State never threatened in the final three quarters.
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished with 16 first downs
> The Tigers amassed 291 total yards of offense, with 209 on the ground
> Grambling State forced five turnovers
> Aldon Clark was 6-of-17 passing for 37 yards
> Kevin Dominique rushed 10 times for 82 yards
> Aldon Clark tallied 61 yards rushing on 10 touches and one score
> Kobe Ross caught two passes for 31 yards
> Devohn Lindsey finished with 28 yards on two receptions and one score
> Calief Samon recorded two catches for 23 yards
> Percy Cargo led the Tiger defense with eight total tackles
> Brandon Varner had a pair of sacks and six tackles
> Malcolm Williams and De’Andre Hogues each added six tackles
> Alabama State recorded 20 first downs
> The Hornets racked up 309 total yards, with 167 coming through the air
> Ezra Gray led the ground game with 130 yards rushing on 20 carries
> Darryl Pearson was 13-of-30 passing for 114 yards and a pair of interceptions
> Wallace Corker finished with four catches for 24 yards
> Christian Clark pace the Hornets defense with eight tackles
> Dennis Roberts registered seven tackles
News & Notes
> Saturday’s win marked the first time in the Fobbs era with a shutout
> The last time Grambling State shutout an opponent was Oct. 15, 2011 (44-0 win over Concordia)
> Saturday was High School Day on the campus of Grambling State University
> Grambling State picked up its first SWAC win of the season
> This is the 41st meeting between the two teams
> The Tigers extended its home win streak to 13 games
> Grambling State has won 26 straight SWAC games
> Broderick Fobbs improves to 4-1 all-time against Alabama State
> Grambling State improves to 28-13 all-time against Alabama State
> Fobbs remains 10 win’s shy of 50 for his career
> GSU started Aldon Clark at quarterback but Geremy Hickbottom entered game in the fourth quarter
> Alabama State came in ranked 15th in the nation in red zone defense (.700) through three games
> Saturday’s game was broadcasted live on ESPN3
Up Next
Grambling State will travel to Dallas, Texas for the 95th Annual State Fair Classic to take on Prairie View A&M next Saturday. Kickoff from the Cotton Bowl is set for 4 p.m. The Tigers accounted for over 400 total yards in the 2017 matchup in a 34-21 victory over the Panthers. Prairie View A&M is coming into the contest off a 62-13 victory on Saturday over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
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Brian Howard
Sports Information Director
Grambling State University
