2020 Grambling State Tigers football team
The 2020 Grambling State Tigers football team represented Grambling State University in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Tigers were led by seventh-year head coach Broderick Fobbs and played their home games at Eddie Robinson Stadium in Grambling, Louisiana as members of the West Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
| 2020 Grambling State Tigers football | |
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| Conference | Southwestern Athletic Conference |
| West Division | |
| Record | 0–4 (0–4 SWAC) |
| Head coach |
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| Home stadium | Eddie Robinson Stadium (Capacity: 23,200) |
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 24 Alabama A&M x$ | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama State | 3 | – | 2 | 3 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jackson State | 3 | – | 2 | 4 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi Valley State | 1 | – | 3 | 1 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff x | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern | 4 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prairie View A&M* | 2 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas Southern | 1 | – | 2 | 1 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grambling State | 0 | – | 4 | 0 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship: Alabama A&M 40, Arkansas–Pine Bluff 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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On July 20, 2020, the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced that it would not play fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the football program.[1] The conference is formalizing plans to conduct a competitive schedule for football during the 2021 spring semester.
Preseason
Recruiting class
Reference:[2]
| US college sports recruiting information for 2020 recruits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40‡ | Commit date |
| Lawrence Asiedu Safety |
Cedar Park, TX | Vista Ridge HS Fort Scott CC |
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Egan Atkins Offensive Lne |
Tampa, FL | Blake HS ASA CC |
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| Dayron Butler Cornerback |
Manor, TX | Manor HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Zion Cage Defensive Line |
Pflugerville, TX | Pflugerville HS Navarro College |
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Javon Cox Defensive Line |
Lemanville, LA | East Ascension HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Demarion Cleaves Linebacker |
Memphis, TN | Freedom Prep | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Isaiah Conner Linebacker |
Memphis, TN | Freedom Prep | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Riyan Cotton Linebacker |
Baton Rouge, LA | Central HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Keelan Cox Defensive Line |
Manvel, TX | Manvel HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Josh Darling Linebacker |
Gordo, AL | Gordo HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| Reyondous Estes Cornerbacker |
East St. Louis, IL | East St. Louis HS Minnesota Riverside CC |
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| Walter Forte Linebacker |
Jonesboro, GA | Jonesboro HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| Trenton Grow Wide Receiver |
Edgard, LA | West St. John HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| Tyron Hall Cornerback |
Frisco, TX | Lone Star HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Josh Jefferson Offensive Line |
Edgewood, MD | St. John's College HS Massachusetts ASA CC |
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Marquise McKnight Kicker/Punter |
Baton Rouge, LA | Madison Prep | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Bryan Powell Linebacker |
Decauter, GA | Southwest DeKalb HS ASA CC |
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| Josh Reed Linebacker |
Houston, TX | Heights HS Blinn CC |
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Jaxson Sanders Offensive Line |
White Hall, AR | White Hall HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 303 lb (137 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| Jalon Sheffield Defensive Line |
Tallahassee, FL | Tallahassee Leon HS Florida Atlantic South Alabama |
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| Myron Stewart Safety |
Port Gibson, MS | Port Gibson HS Mississippi Gulf Coast CC |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| DeMarcus Tinsley Offensive Line |
Newnan, GA | Newnan HS Dodge City CC |
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 325 lb (147 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Willie "Trey" Truitt Wide Receiver |
Snellville, GA | South Gwinnett HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A | ||||||
| Elijah Walker Quarterback |
Amite, LA | Amite HS Hinds CC Louisiana Tech |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
| Hurshie Williams Safety |
Harker Heights, TX | Harker Heights HS Cisco CC North Texas |
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Preseason polls
The SWAC will release their polls in July 2020.
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 |
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 |
Preseason all–SWAC teams
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Offense |
Defense
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Schedule
Due to the SWAC's postponement of the 2020 football season to spring 2021, games against South Alabama, South Carolina State and UTSA were canceled.[3][4] The SWAC released updated spring schedules on August 17.[5]
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 6 | 12:00 p.m. | Jackson State | ESPN3 | L 28–33 | 6,340 | |
| March 13 | 3:00 p.m. | vs. Prairie View A&M | L 10–17 | 10,500 | ||
| March 20 | 12:00 p.m. | Arkansas–Pine Bluff |
| L 21–48 | 5,105 | |
| April 17 | 1:30 p.m. | vs. Southern | NBCSN | L 7–49 | 11,312 | |
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Game summaries
Jackson State
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| Over/under | |
|---|---|
| GRAM −10.5 | 50 |
| Statistics | Jackson State | Grambling State |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 21 | 29 |
| Total yards | 473 | 422 |
| Rushing yards | 293 | 182 |
| Passing yards | 180 | 240 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:06 | 31:54 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson State | Passing | Jalon Jones | 12/18, 180 yards, 3 TDs |
| Rushing | Tyson Alexander | 17 carries, 184 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Daylen Baldwin | 4 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD | |
| Grambling State | Passing | Geremy Hickbottom | 24/35, 237 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Geremy Hickbottom | 16 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Dorrell James | 6 receptions, 87 yards |
Vs. Prairie View A&M
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| Over/under | |
|---|---|
| GRAM –2.5 | 55 |
| Statistics | Prairie View A&M | Grambling State |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 18 | 17 |
| Total yards | 370 | 308 |
| Rushing yards | 153 | 105 |
| Passing yards | 217 | 203 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 43:05 | 28:46 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie View A&M | Passing | Trazon Connley | 8/12, 152 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Kristian Mosley | 18 carries, 74 yards | |
| Receiving | Chris Johnson | 3 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD | |
| Grambling State | Passing | Geremy Hickbottom | 11/16, 113 yards, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Lyndemian Brooks | 11 carries, 61 yards | |
| Receiving | Darrell Clark | 6 receptions, 91 yards |
Arkansas–Pine Bluff
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| Over/under | |
|---|---|
| GRAM −6.0 | 53 |
| Statistics | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Grambling State |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 18 | 16 |
| Total yards | 402 | 368 |
| Rushing yards | 56 | 87 |
| Passing yards | 346 | 281 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 27:53 | 32:07 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Passing | Skyler Perry | 18/30, 346 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Omar Allen Jr. | 11 carries, 42 yards | |
| Receiving | Josh Wilkes | 6 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD | |
| Grambling State | Passing | Elijah Walker | 13/26, 174 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Keilon Elder | 11 carries, 65 yards | |
| Receiving | Kash Foley | 5 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD |
Vs. Southern
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| Over/under | |
|---|---|
| SOU −14.0 | 55 |
| Statistics | Grambling State | Southern |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 13 | 19 |
| Total yards | 208 | 520 |
| Rushing yards | 143 | 232 |
| Passing yards | 65 | 288 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 25:51 | 34:09 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grambling State | Passing | Elijah Walker | 9/14, 65 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Lyndemian Brooks | 9 carries, 71 yards | |
| Receiving | Raylon Richardson | 3 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD | |
| Southern | Passing | John Lampley | 8/11, 143 yards, 1 TDs |
| Rushing | Ladarius Skelton | 7 carries, 76 yards, 2 TDs | |
| Receiving | Ethan Howard | 5 receptions, 80 yards |
References
- Stephenson, Creg (July 20, 2020). "SWAC becomes latest FCS conference to postpone 2020 football season to spring". AL.com. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- "Grambling Tigers round out total of 25 in recruiting class for national signing day". Grambling State University Athletics. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- Visser, David (July 21, 2020). "SWAC Suspends Fall Football Season". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- "MEAC suspends all fall sports for indefinite period". ESPN.com. July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
- "SWAC Releases 2021 Spring Football Schedule". swac.org. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- "2020 Football Schedule". Grambling State University Athletics. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
