The Tigers defense showed up to lead the team to another victory over the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 12.
In a day paying homage to former football coach Eddie Robison and the former players, the Tigers wore throwback uniforms and Head Coach Broderick Fobbs donned a gray suit with a red tie, like the former coach Robinson.
The weekend’s game was also High School Day and the G-Men recorded a win for all the fans in attendance.
The Tigers and Bulldogs both recorded scoreless first quarters. A quarterback change for the Tigers by saw Charles Wright come in under center.
Offensive Coordinator Mark Orlando told The Gramblinite the team was working to find a quarterback that will keep the game flowing.
“We just have to find someone that’ll be consistent but it’s been tough,” Orlando said. “We gave all three of them a chance to play we just need to go back to the drawing board and evaluate no need to get frantic. Maybe we need to change things offensively, it’s not all on the quarterback, it takes all 11 plus the coaches.”
After more work from both punters, the Tigers were able to change the scoreboard from zeros and add seven in the second quarter when, following a series of no huddle offensive plays, redshirt freshman running back Keilon Elder broke the plane to tack on a score in drive lasting just over two minutes.
Alabama A & M followed with another nonproductive possession from up giving the Tigers the lead into halftime.
Following the half, the Tigers offense came in and drove downfield, scoring a 40-yard field goal from kicker/punter Miguel Mendez.
The Bulldogs responded with a 70-yard drive ending with a touchdown pass to narrow the score 10-7.
Later in the quarter, a series of turnovers led to more points from the Bulldogs.
The hurry up offense resulted in an AAMU fumble and recovery by GSU. However, in the ensuing drive, GSU fumbled the ball back to AAMU.
The Bulldogs tacked on a field goal and took a 10-10 tie into the fourth quarter.
The score remained tied for the first part of the fourth quarter until Hickbottom returned at quarterback to lead the Tiger offense to another score, this one off a run by sophomore running back Jakarie Nichols.
With the score now 17-10, the Tigers were looking to close out the game.
The G-Men defense showed up for another drive, causing a fumble and scoring on a 46-yard touchdown return by junior defensive lineman Koby Foster.
With the missed PAT, the score hit 23-10 and remained that until the clocks showed zeros.
“We got better depth so now we can rotate guys and try to play harder, faster and smarter all of those things helps us out. We have a good staff that understand what we’re seeing,” Defensive Coordinator Everett Todd said.“That’s nothing new though but our mission is to get our kids to see and understand the same things we see and understand.”
The Tigers have a bye for the next weekend to fix minor miscues and figure out a more efficient offensive scheme.
The Tigers will be looking for a third win when they return to action on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Pine Bluff, Ark. against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
UAPB’s record is 2-4 so far this season.