THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University football team seeks to bounce back after last weekend's loss as the Bulldogs visit Grambling State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Saturday. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for 2 p.m. from Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
 
Saturday's game marks the 32^nd edition of the matchup since 1989 as Grambling State owns a 22-9 record in the series.
 
Alabama A&M (4-4 overall, 1-3 SWAC) comes into the game off a 56-13 loss to rival Alabama State in the Amazon Magic City Classic last weekend. Meanwhile, Grambling State (5-3, 2-2) enters off an upset win over ranked Jackson State, 26-24, in the inaugural Last Vegas Classic last Saturday.
 
The game will air live on SWAC TV as Santoria Black (play-by-play) and Ossie Clark (analyst) will have the call. Fans can tune into WJAB (90.9 FM) as Maurice Brooks (play-by-play), Thai Floyd (analyst), Evan Hayes (pregame and postgame) and Chauncy Sanders (pregame and postgame) will bring you all the action.
 
"We want to have a winning season. That is important to us, and we are still laying the foundation for this football team," Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade said. "Grambling has had an interesting season where they've had some close ballgames. They are playing well after coming off a big win over Jackson State. I think Coach (Mickey) Joseph and his staff have done a good job with that team."



 
ABOUT THE GAME

• Saturday's game marks the 32^nd meeting in the series
• Alabama A&M has dropped three out of its last four games
• Grambling State has won back-to-back games
• This will be the first meeting between head coaches Sam Shade and Mickey Joseph
• Both teams are expected to start backup quarterbacks

 
BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M has lost three of its last four games, including classic matchups against Jackson State and Alabama State
• The Bulldogs are coming off a 56-13 defeat to rival Alabama State last week
• Kicker David Faulk is perfect this season on field goals since taking over the duties on Sept. 27 (4-for-4)
• Quarterback Eric Handley has been named to the STATS Perform Jerry Rice Award Watch List and listed as questionable for Saturday's game
• The Bulldogs have scored in the opening quarter in 13 straight games, dating back nearly 365 days (Nov. 2, 2024 vs. Southern)
• Alabama A&M ranks fourth in the FCS in fourth down conversion percentage defense, fifth in fourth down conversion percentage, 14^th in punt return defense and 16^th in punt returns
• Keon Handley Jr. is second in the country in fumbles recovered, while Franck Pierre is 14^th in yards per reception

 
TIGERS AT A GLANCE

• Grambling State opened conference play with back-to-back losses before wins over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Jackson State
• GSU pulled off the upset last weekend in Las Vegas, defeating ranked Jackson State, 26-24
• Kicker Josh McCormick booted a 44-yard field goal with 21 seconds left to seal the upset win
• C'zavian Teasett was injured late in the game and was replaced by A'Myne Darensbourg, who is expected to start versus AAMU
• The Tigers aren't necessarily out of the picture for a SWAC West title, but will need help
• Grambling State ranks tops in the country in blocked punts allowed, 15^th in sacks allowed, 16^th in kickoff return defense and 18^th in blocked punts
• Markel Linzer is second in the FCS in interceptions per game; Jay'Shaun Jonson is third in kickoff return touchdowns; Samuel Draper is 13^th in forced fumbles and Warren Robinson is 14^th in sacks

 
SERIES HISTORY 

• Alabama A&M and Grambling State will meet for the 32^nd time
• The Tigers lead the all-time series, 22-9
• In the past 10 meetings, the Bulldogs are 4-6 against GSU
• Alabama A&M has won three straight in the series
• The Bulldogs are 4-5 in games decided by three points or less

 
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

• Alabama A&M needs to protect the line of scrimmage
• AAMU needs to win the turnover battle
• The Bulldogs must avoid committing a ton of penalties 

 
LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT'S NEXT

• The Bulldogs return home for a pair of games, starting next Saturday (Nov. 8) against Prairie View A&M
• The matchup will be the Salute to Service game at Louis Crews Stadium
• The Bulldogs are 8-10 all-time against the Panthers
• The programs last met in 2016, with PVAMU rolling to a 41-20 victory
• AAMU won the first eight games in the series, but PVAMU has won the last 10

 
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