STWF Sports| GRAMBLING, La.| (November 15, 2025) — The Grambling State Tigers have momentum on their side and a mission still in reach. Winners of four straight, the Tigers will look to keep their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title hopes alive when they travel to Lorman, Mississippi, to take on the Alcorn State Braves on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Spinks-Casem Stadium, with live coverage available on SWAC TV.

The matchup carries major implications in the SWAC West Division, with Grambling (7-3 overall, 3-2 SWAC) currently sitting in second place behind Southern. A victory would not only extend the Tigers’ winning streak to five but also preserve their path to their first division crown since 2017.

Momentum Building in Grambling

Grambling enters this weekend riding high after a 31–23 victory over Bethune-Cookman last Saturday, a win that also clinched the program’s first winning season since 2019. The Tigers put together one of their most balanced offensive performances of the year, racking up 415 total yards — 220 through the air and 197 on the ground — as both sides of the ball continue to click at the right time.

Freshman quarterback Hayden Benoit stole the headlines, completing 12-of-20 passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns in his first collegiate start. His poise and efficiency earned him SWAC Newcomer of the Week honors, signaling that Grambling may have found its quarterback of the future.

“Hayden stepped up in a big moment,” head coach Mickey Joseph said. “For a freshman to show that kind of confidence in his first start, it says a lot about his preparation and his leadership.”

Defensively, Marcellius Johnson was everywhere for Grambling, tallying nine tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, earning him SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. His performance anchored a unit that continues to lead the league in sacks and rank among the top 12 nationally with 29 on the season.

Defensive Dominance Defines the Tigers

If defense wins championships, Grambling is playing the right brand of football. The Tigers have become one of the SWAC’s most disruptive units, fueled by relentless pressure and opportunistic secondary play.

Transfer defensive end Warren Robinson has been a difference-maker up front, tied for the SWAC lead in sacks (7.5) while adding 32 total tackles and nine tackles for loss. In the secondary, Markel Linzer continues to be a ballhawk, leading the conference — and ranking second nationally in the FCS — with four interceptions.

As a team, Grambling has forced 18 turnovers, including nine interceptions, ranking eighth in the nation in takeaways. The G-Men have also excelled at setting the tone early, allowing just 16 first-half points total over their last four contests.

“We’ve been emphasizing physicality and creating turnovers all year,” Joseph said. “Our guys are flying to the football, and that’s what championship defenses do.”

Bradford Fueling the Ground Game

While the Tigers’ passing game has shown flashes of explosiveness, the running attack — led by Tre Bradford — continues to provide the foundation. The junior tailback has emerged as the team’s feature back, ranking eighth in the SWAC with 569 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 102 carries (5.6 yards per carry).

Bradford has eclipsed the 100-yard mark twice this season, helping Grambling establish balance on offense and keep opposing defenses honest. Against Bethune-Cookman, he added crucial first downs that helped seal the game late.

Scouting the Opponent: Alcorn State Braves (4–6, 3–3 SWAC)

Alcorn State comes into Saturday’s matchup fresh off a 35–17 win over Southern, a performance highlighted by a punishing ground attack that amassed 259 rushing yards. The Braves boast one of the stingiest defenses in the conference, ranking second in rushing defense (130.0 ypg) and third in scoring defense (23.5 ppg).

The Tigers know this won’t be easy. Recent history between these two programs suggests another nail-biter — six of the last seven meetings have been decided by eight points or fewer, including last season’s 17–15 Braves victory in Grambling.

Still, the Tigers hold the upper hand historically, leading the all-time series 47–26–3 and carrying a hot hand into Lorman.

What’s at Stake

With a win, Grambling State would not only keep pace in the SWAC West but also build on what has already been a resurgent season under Mickey Joseph. A fifth straight victory would give GSU its most wins (eight) since 2017 and set up a dramatic finish to the regular season.

“We’re playing for more than just another win,” Joseph said. “We’re playing for the standard of Grambling football.”

Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. CST at Spinks-Casem Stadium, with live coverage on SWAC TV. Expect a physical, grind-it-out battle — the kind that has defined this rivalry for decades.