Alcorn Braves Scouting Report vs. Grambling State Tigers

LORMAN, Mississippi  -- What to Watch for this Saturday…

• This weekend marks the 68^th meeting between the Braves and Grambling State with the Tigers leading the all-time series 60-17-1.
• Braves head coach Jay Hopson and Grambling's interim head coach George Ragsdale will face each other for the first time in their head coaching careers. Hopson is 1-0 vs. Grambling after last year's win in the Port City Classic, 22-21
• Alcorn is ranked third in the SWAC averaging 35.5 points per game with a 4-2 overall record and 2-1 in the conference. Grambling is ranked eighth and only averaging 15.5 ppg with a 0-6 overall record and 0-3 record in conference play.
• The Braves rank No. 1 in four team categories; Pass Defense (142.2 ypg), Punt Return Avg. (26.4 ypg), Punting (39.4 ypg), and Onside Kicks (50.0 pct.). Grambling is leading the SWAC in Red Zone Defense with an average of 64.9.
• With six games in the books, the Braves are still sitting in the No. 3 spot in the SWAC Eastern Division with hopes of knocking off the G-Men this week.
• Senior running back Arnold Walker ran for 111 yards on 14 carries to surpass Rodney Thomas for the 3^rd spot in career-rushing yards. He is 243 yards from passing Alcorn great Steve McNair.
• Quarterback John Gibbs continues his weekly ranking pass efficiency with an average of 148.7 which ranks him 2^nd in the SWAC.
• Defensive tackle Deion Roberson ranks in the top five in two categories; tackles for loss (4^th-8.5 TFL) and forced fumbles (4^th-2 FF)
• "DB University" is ranked No.1 in the conference and No. 6 in the FCS in pass defense. Three of the braves defensive backs (CJ Morgan, Jamison Knox, & Quinton Cantue) are ranked in the top 10 in the conference in passes defended.

2013 ALCORN STATE STATISTICS

Rushing GP Att Yds Avg TD
Arnold Walker 6 87 469 5.4 8
Joe Price 6 24 165 6.9 1
John Gibbs, Jr. 6 46 148 3.2 2

Passing GP Eff. Att-Comp-Int Pct. Yds TD
John Gibbs, Jr. 6 148.7 92-144-3 63.9 1133 10

Receiving GP No. Yds Avg TD
Tollette George 6 26 327 12.6 2
Tavoris Doss 6 17 221 13.0 2
Zerick Rollins 6 11 94 8.5 0

Punting No. Yds Avg. Long
Haiden McCraney 27 1168 43.3 72

Defense GP TT TFL
William Thomas 6 38 5.0-14
Damon Watkins 6 37 0.5-0
Devon Francois 5 34 0.0

2013 GRAMBLING STATE STATISTICS

Rushing GP Att Yds Avg TD
Jestin Kelly 6 58 323 5.6 2
Cedric Skinner 6 64 277 4.3 0
Juwan Martin 6 21 109 5.2 0

Passing GP Eff. Att-Comp-Int Pct. Yds TD
D.J. Williams 6 103.3 95-202-5 47.0 1119 9

Receiving GP No. Yds Avg TD
Chester Rogers 6 37 514 13.9 4
Anthony McGhee 6 24 279 11.6 3
Robert Bailey 6 13 162 12.5 0

Punting No. Yds Avg. Long
Jonathan Wallace 49 1995 40.7 70

Defense GP TT TFL
Steve Orisakwe 6 54 5.0-24
Nicholas Peoples 6 52 2.0-20
Aaron Breed 6 47 6.5-14