Lorman, Miss. — Grambling State University head football coach Broderick Fobbs learned plenty about his top-ranked SWAC Tigers, on Saturday (Oct. 17) as they invaded Alcorn State University (4-2, 4-1 SWAC) and disturbed an otherwise pleasant homecoming.
Running back Martez Carter rushed for 132 yards — his third 100-yard game this season — and scored a touchdown in overtime as GSU withstood the No. 1-ranked black college football team to rally from behind for a 35-34 OT victory.
It was the final play of overtime that secured the Grambling State (5-2, 5-0 SWAC) win as senior defensive lineman Jamison Goins blocked a Haiden McCradey extra point that would have tied the game, forcing a second overtime.
“Those kids fight, they fight they kept fighting,” Fobbs said after the game. “…they thought they were burying us. But they didn’t know we were a seed, we’re coming from the ground. We’re Grambling! That’s just the way we are. We’re Grambling! We going to fight.”
Referencing the late, legendary Grambling State coach Eddie G. Robinson, and his wife, Doris Robinson, who died last month, an emotional Fobbs went on. “This for Coach Rob. This is for Mrs. Doris. We going to fight. This is the G!”
Johnathan Williams passed for 141 yards, three touchdowns and rushed for 51 yards. Williams finished 16 for 33 passing attempts and he had one interception. One of Williams’ TDs went to wide receiver Chad Williams. He finished with two catches, one touchdown and 23 yards.
GSU’s offense struggled to score touchdowns in the first half. Kicker Marc Orozco drilled a 15-yard field goal and 38-yard field goal to take an early 6-0 led in the first quarter.
Then, trailing 14-6, Johnathan Williams connected with Chad Williams for a 32- yard TD pass. Carter converted a two-point conversion, he ran a jet sweep, stopped then lobbed a pass to Chad Williams to score, tying the game.
In a back-and-forth slugfest, Alcorn led 28-14 at halftime. It was the overtime end that amazed some and surprised others. Alcorn State has a bye week and GSU takes on Mississippi Valley State University’s Delta Devils at home for homecoming at 2 p.m. at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
Week 7: G-Men will face MVSU for Homecoming
The Grambling State Tigers invaded the Alcorn State Braves homecoming upsetting the SBN Black College Football’s No.1 HBCU team for five consecutive weeks with a nail biter 35-34.
After a stunning win, the Tigers move on to homecoming Saturday (Oct. 24), facing the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils. MVSU (0-6, 0-4 SWAC) hasn’t won a game against GSU since 2012. The Valley is on a 11-game losing streak, going back to the 2014 season. Since the 2012 win over Grambling State, the Delta Devils are 9-31.
MVSU’s offense and defense have struggled this season. Going into Saturday (Oct. 17), the Devil offense has averaged 9.2 points per game and the defense has given up 51.7 points per game. The Delta Devils had their best offense game against Alabama State this fall, scoring 15 points.
The MVSU offense has been unable to reach the end zone much, scoring only 55 points this season, including eight touchdowns with four rushing and four passing TDs. Quarterback play for the Delta Devils has been inconsistent. Three different quarterback have taken snaps, and back-up QB Dontrinell Scott has been the most efficient with 30 of 51 passing attempts for 291 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Starting QB Thurston Rubin Jr. is 39 of 81 passing attempts for 447 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions.
The Valley rushing attack is lead by Thomas Stokes, Jr. He has rushed for 234 yards, averaging 2.9 per rush this season. Booker Chamber has been the go-to Delta Devil with three touchdowns.
GSU’s rushing game has been good and getting better. Running back Jestin Kelly has rushed for 326 yards on 84 carries and one touchdown. Kelly has rushed 23 more than running back Martez Carter. Carter, who has rushed for over 100 yards three times this season. Carter has rushed for 494 yards on 61 carries and four touchdowns.
Chad Williams has been Johnathan Williams’s favorite target this season. Chad Williams has 34 catches for 576 yards. He has had 11 more catches than Chester Rogers. Rogers has 24 catches for 391 yards. Both Chad Williams and Rogers have five touchdowns apiece.
Prediction: GSU 66-6
GSU takes on MVSU at 2 p.m. in Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium in Grambling, Louisiana.