Grambling's 'refreshing' win extends streak to 4 games

The sign of a good team usually is on display when it doesn't "play well" yet still wins by 24 points in convincing fashion.

That was Grambling in a nutshell on Saturday.

The Tigers put up 513 total yards but committed three turnovers and converted just 4-of-18 third downs in a 37-14 win over Alabama A&M at Eddie Robinson Stadium to extend their winning streak to four games.

"Being able to go out and the offense not put up the amount of points that they've been putting up and we come out with a victory that wasn't close, that's always refreshing," Grambling defensive back coach Brian Ware said Monday. "Just being able to come in Sunday, grade the film, come in on Monday and do the corrections with the guys and understand there were still mistakes that were made but defensively only giving up one touchdown, that's always a plus."

Grambling (4-2, 4-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) diverted away from its usual winning tendencies of putting up more than 50 points a game with a bit of a sluggish win.

The Tigers led 27-7 at halftime before limping to the finish line with just 10 second-half points.

"It's exciting to come away with that when you don't play well," Fobbs said.

"I don't think we played Saturday with a lot of passion. Yes, true enough, we made some plays offensively in the kicking game and then also defensively, but it seemed like a struggle to really get our guys going."

Grambling did more than enough to get by, though. The Tigers allowed just 300 yards of offense after giving up 500-plus yards in three of the past four contests. The defense was responsible for just seven points as Alabama A&M scored on an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

The running game churned out 258 yards, including a 123-yard performance from Martez Carter, and the defense recorded three sacks.

100-yard rushing games a rare occurrence at Grambling

"I've never lost any faith in my defense," Fobbs said. "This week they did a good job of putting another good plan in place. Sometimes when you put plans together you have to see it on film in order for guys to understand where they're supposed to be. It's just a matter of us continuing that the rest of the season. I think we're gelling at the right time."

But quarterback Johnathan Williams wasn't his usual self, completing just 54 percent of his passes even though he threw for three touchdowns.

Fobbs couldn't pinpoint why Grambling came out flat.

"I don't think it was the opponent. I'm pretty sure if you ask all of the coaches in college football and in the NFL, if someone had the answer to that they'd be a very rich person," Fobbs said. "It's something that happens from time to time where a team will come out flat. I don't know. I can't put my finger on it."

The timing of the performance came at a good time in Fobbs' eyes. Grambling has a key road game this weekend at defending SWAC champion Alcorn State. A loss wouldn't damage Grambling's SWAC West title aspirations but the Tigers are hungry to knock off the No. 1 HBCU team in the country.

"I think it gives us some confidence. It's a bad thing but it's also a good thing. When you're getting ready for a team of Alcorn State's stature and magnitude, you need some things to work on so guys can be focused in week's practice," Fobbs said. "Sometimes if you play flawless it can affect preparation next week mentally. Our players will be focused and ready to go and we'll probably play one of our better games."