Since capturing the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship in 2017, the Grambling State University Tigers have ended their last eight campaigns with a losing record.
The most storied program in the history of HBCU football, the Tigers were once synonymous with excellence under the late legendary coach Eddie Robinson, who over a remarkable 56-year tenure leading GSU, won nine Black college national championships and 408 games, placing him third all-time among all college football head coaches. Only John Gagliardi, who compiled 489 wins, mostly at Saint John’s University in Minnesota, and Joe Paterno’s 409 at Penn State, have more victories.
After ending last season 7-5, the Tigers, under the direction of head coach Mickey Joseph, are on pace to eclipse their previous win total. They are tied in the SWAC West standings with Alcorn State at 2-1 after a 45-38 statement victory on Saturday over SWAC East leader Jackson State, which is also 2-1 in conference play. The Battle of Tigers annual matchup saw Grambling improve to 4-2 overall in handing the JSU Tigers (5-1) their first loss of the season.
GSU jumped from No. 8 to No. 4 in the HBCU Media Poll while they are No. 5 in the HBCU FCS Coaches Poll heading into Week 7. JSU, piloted by head coach T.C. Taylor, hold the No. 2 spot in the media poll and No. 3 in the coaches poll.
Junior quarterback Jacobe Robinson accounted for five touchdowns in a stellar performance on GSU’s home turf at James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams Field at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium. A native of Denton, Texas, Robinson began his collegiate career at Boston College and last season was a member of Southern Mississippi’s program before transferring to Grambling. He passed for four touchdowns in connecting on 17 of 22 pass attempts and rushed for another.
In total, Grambling amassed 237 passing yards and 201 rushing yards, with sophomore running back D’Shaun Ford topping the Tigers with 71 on the ground and a touchdown. Redshirt sophomore Tyson George snared eight catches for 93 yards and one TD.
JSU’s freshman running back Li’Darious Pryor averaged an indomitable 7.5 yards per carry in posting 166 yards on 22 attempts and three touchdowns in driving JSU to a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter before Grambling staged its comeback.
The 5-1 Morgan State Bears occupy the No. 1 ranking in both the media and coaches poll.
