Grambling State (0-3, 0-2) vs. Alabama A&M (4-0, 3-0)
At this point in the season, a matchup between an undefeated team and a winless team wouldn’t warrant game to watch considerations. The Tigers started last season 1-4 including a loss to AAMU before winning eight-straight including the SWAC championship game, a victory over Alabama A&M 16-15 after spotting the Bulldogs a 15-0 lead. Perhaps this is the game that can turn their season around. If TSU is the best team in football there is no doubt Alabama A&M is second. Senior quarterback Deaunte Mason is clearly having his best season with the Bulldogs having completed 68 percent of his passes for 713 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions, while rushing for another 171 yards and six touchdowns. He does a good job of spreading the ball around as 10 different receivers have caught passes. Defenses have to pick their poison in stopping Mason and the passing attack or All-SWAC running back Kaderius Lacey. Lacey is averaging 4.6 yards per carry on 285 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Brendon Johnson is a nice change of pace in the backfield averaging 4.8 yards per carry as well. Head coach Anthony Jones had to replace a lot from last year’s defensive unit, but safety Vernon Marshall (32 tackles, four tackles for loss) has been sound. The Bulldogs are going to have to do a better job of pressuring Grambling quarterback DJ Williams and as a team only have three sacks on the season. Speaking of Williams he was injured in the loss to Alabama State and backup Frank Rivers came in and completed 14-of-19 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Head coach Doug Williams insists that there is no quarterback controversy, that DJ is the starter. All-SWAC running back Dawrence Roberts has struggled some this year with only 173 yards rushing though he is averaging 4.3 yards per carry. The Grambling defense has struggled giving up 403 yards per game. The Tigers are coming off a bye week and it was last year after their bye week when the reeled off eight-straight victories.
Click here for this week’s full slate of games.
Players of the Week
Trabis Ward
Tennessee State RB Trabis Ward
5-10, 200, r-Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Carried the ball 27 times for 153 yards and 2 TDs in the Tigers 21-14 victory over Bethune-Cookman.
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Damien Fleming
Florida A&M QB Damien Fleming
6-3, 200, Soph., Jacksonville, Fla.
Completed 30-of-37 passes for 399 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs in the Rattlers 24-22 victory over Delaware State.
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