A fast start doomed the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs as the Grambling State University Tigers rolled past their SWAC competition 37-14 to keep their winning streak alive.
GSU quarterback Johnathan Williams and the offense continued to pass the football with confidence. Williams threw three touchdowns. Martez “Mr. Excitement” Carter rushed for 124 yards and 18 carries. It was Carter’s second 100+-yard game this season. He ran for more than 100 yards against University of California-Berkeley.
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The Tigers’ defense continued to improve, limiting the Bulldogs to 14 points. AAMU rushed for 98 yards. It was the third time the GSU defense stopped an opponent from rushing over 100 yards.
GSU’s defense gave the Bulldogs fits on third and fourth down as they went 3 of 21 on third down and 2 of 7 on fourth. Head football coach Broderick Fobbs was impressed with his team’s defensive performance, giving them a B+ or a low A, and he attributed the effort to strong work and good coaching.
“I think the our kids are learning our system,” said Fobbs.
Fobbs was not as impressed with the GSU offense, giving them an average grade. The offense rushed for a total of 258 yards and 284 yards passing. Williams threw one interception with three touchdowns. In addition, the offense was able to convert 4 of 18 times on third downs.
“I think the offense pressed too much and didn’t take the defense what we gave them,” Fobbs added during a news conference after the game.
Despite the flat offense, Fobbs said “an ugly win, is a good win.”
Johnathan Williams was the first player in the end zone as he rushed for 37 yards at 9:34 in the first quarter. The Bulldogs targeted Williams on the Tigers’ next possession and sacked him for a loss of 8 yards.
But, Verlan Hunter caught a 9-yard touchdown from Williams with 4:42 before the end of the first quarter.
The Bulldogs didn’t let the quarter end before making their mark on the board. AAMU’s Byron Brower rushed in the end zone from the 2-yard line. The score was 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Six points belong to G-Men with less than five minutes into the second quarter, but not the extra point. AAMU’s No. 20, Dexter Reese, blocked Mark Orozco’s point after touchdown kick and eliminated the Tigers’ extra point opportunity.
On the next drive, Chester Rogers ran a 63-yard return for another touchdown for the G-Men. The G-Men were still in the lead 27-7.
AAMU’s Justin Brown caught Johnathan Williams’ 9th interception of the season and returned to score a touchdown, putting six more points on the board with nine minutes left in the third.
One more touchdown from Chester Rogers and a field goal in the fourth completed the final score to 37-14.
This Saturday (Oct. 17), the best of the SWAC will be put to the test as the Tigers face the No. 1 SWAC Eastern Division champs, the Alcorn State University Braves. The game will take place in Lorman, Mississippi.