Alabama A&M seeks to bounce back at Grambling State

NORMAL — With their sights still set on a winning record, Alabama A&M hits the road this weekend at Grambling State.

The Bulldogs, who have lost three of their last four games, take on the Tigers with a 2 p.m. kickoff in Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.

“We want to have a winning season,” Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade said. “That is important to us, and we are still laying the foundation for this football team.

“Grambling has had an interesting season where they’ve had some close ballgames. They are playing well after coming off a big win over Jackson State. I think Coach (Mickey) Joseph and his staff have done a good job with that team.”

Saturday’s game marks the 32^nd edition of the matchup since 1989 as Grambling State owns a 22-9 record in the series.

Alabama A&M (4-4 overall, 1-3 SWAC) comes into the game off a 56-13 loss to rival Alabama State in the Amazon Magic City Classic last weekend. Meanwhile, Grambling State (5-3, 2-2) enters off an upset win over ranked Jackson State, 26-24, in the inaugural Last Vegas Classic last Saturday.

Saturday’s game will be carried on SWAC TV with Santoria Black (play-by-play) and Ossie Clark (analyst) on the call. Fans can tune into WJAB (90.9 FM) as Maurice Brooks (play-by-play), Thai Floyd (analyst), Evan Hayes (pregame and postgame) and Chauncy Sanders (pregame and postgame) bring the action.

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M has lost three of its last four games, including classic matchups against Jackson State and Alabama State
• The Bulldogs are coming off a 56-13 defeat to rival Alabama State last week
• Kicker David Faulk is perfect this season on field goals since taking over the duties on Sept. 27 (4-for-4)
• Quarterback Eric Handley has been named to the STATS Perform Jerry Rice Award Watch List and listed as questionable for Saturday’s game
• The Bulldogs have scored in the opening quarter in 13 straight games, dating back nearly 365 days (Nov. 2, 2024 vs. Southern)
• Alabama A&M ranks fourth in the FCS in fourth down conversion percentage defense, fifth in fourth down conversion percentage, 14^th in punt return defense and 16^th in punt returns
• Keon Handley Jr. is second in the country in fumbles recovered, while Franck Pierre is 14^th in yards per reception.