Joseph not ready to move Dooley as GSU’s play caller
Grambling State running back Tre Bradford (0) runs against Alcorn State in a 17-15 loss on Saturday. The Tigers are now 0-2 in SWAC play. Photo by Marcus Plummer
GRAMBLING – GSU head coach Mickey Joseph told reporters he hasn’t considered moving Eric Dooley away from his role as offensive play caller for Grambling State at his weekly press conference on Monday.
GSU (3-3, 0-2 SWAC), coming off a 17-15 loss to Alcorn State on Saturday, scored a single touchdown with 38 seconds left in the third quarter and had familiar issues offensively: third quarter struggles, breakdowns in protection, and stalled series that failed to put touchdowns on the board inside Alcorn’s 15-yard line.
“No, no. Dooley is the play caller,” Joseph said when asked if he’s considered moving Dooley off offensive play calling.
Of the 12 teams in the SWAC, GSU does rank third in scoring (28.7 ppg) but if you were to take away four defensive TDs, the Tigers are averaging 24.2 ppg, sixth in the league.
GSU also ranks eighth in total offense (305.8 ypg), rushing offense, (102.5 ypg) total first downs ( 94), and third down conversion rate (33.7%).
The Tigers have also struggled in executing out of halftime, punting on the first possession of the third quarter in each game this season — averaging 4.3 plays and 9.3 yards — with 20 total points through six games.
“I think it has to do with execution, it has to do with play calling, it has to do with starting something and not finishing it,” Joseph said when asked why the offense has struggled. “We gotta get them back believing they can score points. And that’s my job to do that this week.”
So, at what point, if any, would he consider moving Dooley away from calling plays?
“I think if it gets to that, the woes continue, but we can’t let it get out of hand. But I think we can get it back this week with me being more involved this week. I’m more involved than I have been.”
When asked to explain what “more involved” means, Joseph said, “I’m gonna tell you what plays I want to see and what plays I want you to call.”
Grambling State (3-3, 0-2 SWAC) hosts Arkansas Pine-Bluff (2-4, 1-1 SWAC) on Saturday for Homecoming, with the game streamed live on HBCUgo.
