TEXAS SOUTHERN
The Tigers seek their first win vs. SWAC West leader Grambling.
Records: Texas Southern 0-6, 0-3 SWAC; Grambling 6-1, 3-0. Series history: Grambling leads 43-18-3.
Key players: Texas Southern — QB Dominic DeLira, RB Tylor Cook, LB Julian Marcantel; Grambling — EB Devante Kincade, RB Carter Martez, LB Deontae Hatter. Who has the edge Offense — Grambling. The Tigers produced 419 yards last week, averaging 15.8 yards per completion behind Kincade, who passed 268 yards and three TDs (one rushing). They’re just outside the top 50 with 219.4 passing yards per game. Texas Southern continues to struggle offensively, managing only 261 yards against Alabama State while going scoreless in the second half. Defense — Grambling. The Tigers are 33rd in total defense (336.3). They’re seventh in run defense (79.9), allowing only 2.4 yards per carry. They also lead the country in takeaways (11 fumble recoveries, 12 INTs) and sacks (29). DB De’Aumante Johnson has four interceptions and DL La’Allan Clark has 5½ sacks. Special teams — Grambling. K Marc Orozco is 12-of-14 on FGs this season. He’s 4-for-4 in the last two games, with 40yard makes against Prairie View and Alcorn State. Texas Southern K Aaron
Cuevas is 3-of-4 after missing a 47-yarder last week. Malik Route leads Grambling in punt (10-53) and kick (11-227) returns.
Notable: Texas Southern broke through with close wins in 2012 (23-20) and 2013 (23-17), but Grambling State, which generally has dominated the series through the years, rolled in the past three meetings, winning 35-7 in 2014, 41-15 in 2015 and 47-28 last year. Texas Southern turned it over four times in that seasonending setback. About Texas Southern: The Tigers still are looking for their first win after coming up short in a 23-16 loss to Alabama State. They jumped out to a 16-3 halftime lead on two touchdown passes from DiLira — his first of the season against five interceptions — but were stymied in the second half, punting four times, missing a field goal and throwing a pick with 47 seconds remaining.
About Grambling: The Tigers jumped four spots to No. 13 in the FCS Coaches Poll after posting their sixth consecutive win. Their only loss was 43-14 to Tulane in their season opener. The Tigers beat Alcorn State 41-14 last week behind Kincade’s efforts and a defense that supplied two TDs and three INTs and held Alcorn to 363 total yards.