GSU offense surging during three-game win streak
GRAMBLING — The Grambling State football team appears to be turning a corner.
After winning their third-straight game in a 35-20 victory over Prairie View A&M, the Tigers (3-2, 2-0 SWAC) have unlocked a dynamic offense that has the team tied for 1st in the SWAC West Division.
GSU is averaging a league-best 33.8 points per game and league-best 407 yards per game – both top 25 in the FCS. In both SWAC contests, GSU has scored 35 points.
How good is that for this program? It’s the first time since 2017 the Tigers have scored at least 35 points through their first two conference games – when they went on to go undefeated in SWAC play and won the league championship.
The Tigers kept that pace going in their win over Prairie View on Saturday with 449 total yards of offense and 208 rushing yards at 5.2 yards per carry.
Quarterback Myles Crawley went 26-of-41 for 241 yards with 2 touchdowns, completing passes to eight different receivers.
GSU head coach Hue Jackson is encouraged by the consistency the offense continues to show, including on Saturday.
“I think we do a good job of planning,” Jackson said. “I think strategy is around a lot of that. I think our players understand what we’re trying to accomplish. It all starts with the quarterback. He has to have a great understanding and it trickles down the offensive line and everybody else.”
Lyndon Rash, one of eight receivers who caught a pass from Crawley Saturday, finished with 7 catches for 73 yards and 2 touchdowns. He leads the SWAC and is third in the FCS with 5 total touchdown catches.
Jackson spoke to Rash’s play at his weekly media press conference on Monday.
“He’s tremendous. He’s a tremendous football player and tremendous man,” Jackson said of Rash. “He works extremely hard. It’s important to him and our players know it. I think what you see is all summer was him and Crawley throwing the ball and you see that connection. They just have it.”
Crawley is 93-of-154 for 1,106 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and an interception. His 10 touchdowns are tied for the most in the SWAC.
GSU hired offensive coordinator Tony Hull in the offseason from Louisiana-Monroe and has reaped the benefits.
Through five games this season, GSU is two passing touchdowns away from passing last year’s total mark of 11 and already has the program’s first 1,000-yard passer since 2019.
“I think it’s a whole-staff deal. From John Simon to Kris Peters to Coach (Robert) Valdez, to Coach Tyron Carrier,” Jackson said. “I think it’s led by Coach (Hull) but I think everybody has a hand in it. That’s what makes offenses good when everybody is contributing and that’s when you have really good offense.”
Grambling State (3-2, 2-0 SWAC) takes on Alcorn State (2-3, 1-1 SWAC) Saturday at Spinks-Casem Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
