HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Grambling coach Doug Williams says he knows what Alabama A&M defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns has in store for Tigers quarterback D.J. Williams.

"I'm expecting them to throw the kitchen sink at us and try to put pressure on our young quarterback," Williams said.

D.J., Williams' son, has completed 52 percent of his passes for 392 yards and five touchdowns. He is 35-of-67 with two interceptions, but struggled mightily last week against Alabama State, where he was sacked four times.

The Tigers are averaging 15 points and 192.3 yards per game.

Towns expects Williams to simply Grambling's offense this week.

"I'm expecting them to throw quick, short passes and not put D.J. in a stressful situation where he has to read a lot of coverages," Towns said. "I see a lot of three-step drop stuff where they get the ball out of his hands as quick as possible.

"We've got to play the screen and the quick passes and don't get sucked in with the short throws and allow them to go up top. We've got to be ready for the slant and the deep ball."

Jones: GSU still strong

A&M coach Anthony Jones has told his players not to pay attention to Grambling's defensive numbers.

The Tigers, who were supposed to have one of the best units in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, haven't played that way.

Grambling has allowed almost 27 points and more than 370 yards per game through its first three games.

Jones has watched the Tigers on film and says they're better than the numbers indicate.

"They've got good players and a good scheme," he said. "We've got to be sound to have a chance to be successful. That's what we're working on in practice. They're going to get after us and hopefully, we'll do the same."

Injury updates

Defensive tackle Tim Tillman and defensive end Melvin Payne, who have missed the last two games, are expected to play Saturday against Grambling, but defensive end Clarence Lovell and defensive back Clarence Morris won't play.

Tillman and Payne, who sustained hamstring and ankle injuries in the season opener against Hampton, practiced Tuesday and Wednesday and will play, according to defensive line coach Ben Blacknall. Lovell is still hampered by an ankle injury, Blacknall said, while Morris sustained a groin injury Tuesday in practice. With Morris sidelined, Towns said Theron Rice, who played at Sparkman High School, will back up Derrick Harris at right cornerback.

Meanwhile, will linebacker Vernon Marshall, who missed last Saturday's game against Tuskegee with an ankle injury, is expected to play against Grambling, but won't start, Towns said. Vandrick Jackson will make his second straight start and Marshall will back him up.

Former Johnson High standout Jeremy Isabelle, who began preseason practice as the starting strong safety before falling down the depth chart, will start Saturday against Grambling, Towns said.

Starter Chris Ervin will miss Saturday's game due to a death in the family and Isabelle, who had fallen to fourth string on the depth chart, has outplayed Tae Keith and Joshua Udeh this week in practice.