HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University football team will look to get back into the win column as the Bulldogs visit Grambling State for a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Saturday. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for 3 p.m. from Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
Alabama A&M (3-3 overall, 1-2 SWAC) comes into the game off a 45-30 loss last Saturday in the Gulf Coast Challenge against Jackson State. The Bulldogs fell behind 21-0 and trailed 35-7 at the half. The second half was a much different story for AAMU as a late fourth-quarter touchdown was wiped out because of a penalty, which would have brought the Bulldogs within one score.
Grambling State (3-3, 2-1) fell victim to the road blues on the reservation last week as the Tigers lost to Alcorn State, 25-24, to Alcorn State. GSU was held to just 60 yards of rushing and 15 first downs, yet still had an opportunity to drive during the final minute to take the lead. However, quarterback Myles Crawley threw his third interception of the afternoon, sealing the Braves victory.
Grambling State will be celebrating its homecoming on Saturday and will also have a field dedication at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium. The school will honor James "Shack" Harris and Doug Williams by naming the field after the two quarterback legends.
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and fans can listen to the broadcast on WJAB 90.9 FM as Ted Dixie will have the call.
Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor expects Saturday's game to be another great one as both teams are coming off losses.
"They got a great team," Maynor said. "Hue Jackson has been doing a tremendous job since he's been there. Those guys are playing hard on offense, defense and special teams. They don't turn the ball over. The quarterback does a tremendous job of protecting the ball and they don't beat themselves. We've got to play solid this week and definitely can't have four turnovers again. We've got to make them drive long fields and we've just got to take care of the football."
LAST MEETING
Both teams entered the game struggling and this showdown proved to be a thriller inside Louis Crews Stadium.
The Bulldogs led 7-3 at the end of one quarter and trailed 10-7 heading into the locker room.
However, Quincy Casey threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Cox and Victor Barbosa booted a 29-yard field goal as Alabama A&M took a 17-10 advantage into the final quarter.
Grambling State scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 17, but a Harold Jemison 2-yard score capped a 9-play, 75-yard drive as the Bulldogs went back on top, 24-17.
The Tigers had some late-game dramatics as Maurice Washington scored on a 6-yard run, tying the game at 24 with just 29 seconds left in regulation.
In overtime, Grambling State scored first and AAMU answered as Casey connected with Keenan Hambrick for a 7-yard score, tying the game at 31.
In the second overtime, it was Donovan Eaglin with a 2-yard touchdown run and the Bulldog defense stopped GSU as Alabama A&M walked away with a 37-31 victory.
SERIES HISTORY
- Alabama A&M and Grambling State will be meeting for the 29th time
- Grambling State holds the all-time series lead, 21-7
- The Tigers also own the longest win streak in the series at seven games
- The two programs first met in 1989, a 34-22 win for GSU
- Alabama A&M won the 2022 contest in thrilling fashion, a 37-31 double-overtime victory
- The Bulldogs will be seeking their first win at Grambling State since a 20-14 victory in 2011
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
- Alabama A&M must protect the quarterback
- AAMU needs to win the turnover battle
- The Bulldogs must avoid committing a ton of penalties
ALABAMA A&M NATIONAL STATISTICS
- The Bulldogs are second in the FCS in fourth down conversion percentage defense
- AAMU ranks five nationally in blocked kicks
- Alabama A&M is seventh in punt returns nationally
- The Bulldogs also rank 10th in the FCS in passes intercepted
- Terrell Gardner is among FCS leaders, ranking fourth in combined kick returns
- Gardner is second in the nation in punt return touchdowns, while fourth in punt returns
- Jamarion Ellis ranks third nationally in fumbles recovered
- Kenechukwu Eziomume is also ninth in passes defended
GRAMBLING STATE NATIONAL STATISTICS
- The Tigers are tops in the country in blocked kicks allowed and completion percentage
- Grambling State ranks second in the FCS in defensive touchdowns
- Lyndon Rash is among the best in receiving touchdowns, ranking second
LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT'S NEXT
- Alabama A&M will have a bye week before playing in the Magic City Classic
- The Bulldogs and Hornets have 81 times
- Alabama A&M leads the all-time series over its rivals, 43-35-3, which dates back to 1940
- Alabama State visits Jackson State on Saturday and will have a bye heading into the rivalry game
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics) and Twitter (@_aamuathletics).
