GSU VS UAPB

The Grambling State Tigers travel to Little Rock, Arkansas to play in the delta classic for literacy against the Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions this weekend. Grambling defeated Mississippi Valley State last weekend 28-25, while UAPB had a bye last week.

When UAPB has the ball:
Ranked 4th in total offense UAPB has some adequate playmakers on this side of the ball. Pine
Bluff has the second ranked passing attack in the conference. Chris Wallace has thrown six touchdowns and completed 58% of his passes on the season. Wallace’s favorite target has been Jason Jones. Jones has 10 receptions for 268 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games. After rushing for 229 yards and three touchdowns against Alcorn St in week two, Martell Mallet has had only one other 100-yard game on the season. UAPB averages 123 rushing yards a game, which is good for 8th in the conference. Pine Bluffs real gem may be ready to return to action this weekend against Grambling. Mickey Dean, who won the 2005 SWAC freshmen of the year hasn’t played since the first game of the season. Dean’s elusiveness and 4.3 (40-yard dash) speed could cause problems for Grambling if he is healthy. Defensively Grambling continues to struggle. The Tigers are ranked 8th in total defense, partly because of the inability to stop the run. In last week’s 28-25 victory over Valley, the Delta Devils rushed for 223 yards. Grambling has to find a way to stop opposing teams who know how to run the ball. If Grambling wants to blow this game open, the defense cannot continue to allow their opponents to convert 37 % of their third down conversions. If they do, the game could be a nail biter in Little Rock.
Advantage: Push

When GSU has the ball:
Brandon Landers has reestablished himself as Grambling starting quarterback this week after earning SWAC offensive player of the week. Landers finished 15-of-26 for 213 yards passing and a touchdown, he also ran for another 22 yards and a score against Valley last Saturday. Both Landers and Larry Kerlegan will see action this weekend, as Grambling will continue to implement a two-quarterback system. Both quarterbacks should have all day to throw, as UAPB ranks last in the conference in sacks. Only two Grambling’s receivers have had 100-yard games this season. Clyde Edwards and Henry Tolbert could both possibly do it this weekend, as Pine Bluff ranks 9th in the conference against the pass. Ab Kuuan had success against Pine Bluff last season and will be looking for his second one hundred yard game of the season this weekend. UAPB’s defense is led by LB Justin Bell, Bell has 41 tackles on the season and had 11 against Tuskegee two-weeks ago. Grambling’s quarterbacks will dictate the score of this game. If they are accurate, this game could potentially be over before the bands take the field.
Advantage: Grambling

Grambling leads the all-time series 25-11-2. The Tigers must be weary of an upset minded team in Pine Bluff. UAPB will attempt to keep Grambling’s offense off the field, to make this a close game. However, Grambling is far too talented and hungry to allow this game to be closer then what it really should be.

Grambling 37
UAPB 14