Saturday’s victory over Southern sends Grambling back to the SWAC championship game for the third time in four years.With Saturday’s win the G-Men clenched the SWAC western division outright, if they would have lost it would have been a three way tie between Southern and Prairie View, that would have been determined by a coin flip. GSU head coach Rod Broadway is happy that his team will not be victims of chance.
” Their will not be a coin flip, all we had to do is come out and take care of our business,” said Broadway.
GSU finished the regular season 10-2, which shocked a lot of people.
With the graduation of wide receivers Clyde Edwards, Reggie Jackson, and Tim Abney( Who accounted for 1.800 receiving yards) and the dismissal of qauterback Brandon Landers before the start of the season, many thought that this was a rebuilding year for the G-Men’s offense.
The offense struggled early and often during the first half of the season, they scored 20 points or more only one time; however after the Prairie View game the offense has averaged over 31 points a game. Quaterback Greg Dillion, a guy who was on the scout team this time last year, has become one the most exciting and electrifying players in the SWAC. Dillion has accounted for 1,918 yards (1,242 passing and 676 rushing) and 18 touchdowns.
Coming into the season, many people thought the defense would be the backbone for the team and so far the defense has not disappointed.
Grambling’s defense is one the best defenses in the FCS.( Football Championship Subdivision) the defense gives up a little over 13 points and 266 total yards per game.
The Defensive is led by the defensive lineman Melvin Matthews, Christian Anthony and Otis Young. Between the three of them, they have combined for 43.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. Linebacker Keefe Hall leads the team in tackles with 94.
The secondary has been outstanding this season, intercepting 22 passes. Leading the team in interceptions is Desmond Leonard with six.
One of the X Factors for the team has been Kiare Thompson. Thompson a kick returning specialist is averaging over 15 yards a return.
Last year’s 42-31 loss to Jackson State left a bad taste in the Tigers’ mouth.
Coach Broadway is happy he won the Bayou Classic, and realizes how much it means to fans and alumni; however he wants a championship.
” They don’t give you a ring for winning the Bayou Classic.