GRAMBLING, Louisiana | Malik Route scored on a career-long 79-yard punt return and De'Arius Christmas returned an interception 66 yards as the Grambling State University football team cruised to its first shutout win since 2011 with a 34-0 win over Alabama State on Saturday night at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers (1-2 overall, 1-0 SWAC) got a 79-yard punt return by Route to give Grambling State a quick 7-0 lead with 10:32 remaining in the opening quarter.
Grambling State extended the lead to 14-0 when Aldon Clark scored on an 11-yard with 5:56 left and on the very next the Alabama State drive, Christmas returned a deflected Darryl Pearson pass 66 yards for a touchdown as the Tigers built a 21-0 advantage through one quarter.
Marc Orozco, who came into the game 44 points shy of becoming the all-time leader in points by a kicker, booted the first of two field goals, a 21-yarder, to extend the lead to 24-0 with 6:39 left in the first half. He connected on a 29-yard field goal with 1:24 remaining in the third quarter to push the margin to 27-0.
BOX SCORE
ATTENDANCE: 7359
Midway through the final quarter, Geremy Hickbottom completed a pass to Kobe Ross and he was stripped of the football and Devohn Lindsey fell on it in the endzone to give the Tigers a 34-0 advantage.
Turning Point
Grambling State scored in all three phases of the game on Saturday and built a 21-0 first quarter lead.
Route's punt return and Christmas' interception return proved to be too much for the Hornets as Alabama State (1-3, 0-1) never threatened in the final three quarters.
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished with 16 first downs
> The Tigers amassed 291 total yards of offense, with 209 on the ground
> Grambling State forced five turnovers
> Aldon Clark was 6-of-17 passing for 37 yards
> Kevin Dominique rushed 10 times for 82 yards
> Aldon Clark tallied 61 yards rushing on 10 touches and one score
> Kobe Ross caught two passes for 31 yards
> Devohn Lindsey finished with 28 yards on two receptions and one score
> Calief Samon recorded two catches for 23 yards
> Percy Cargo led the Tiger defense with eight total tackles
> Brandon Varner had a pair of sacks and six tackles
> Malcolm Williams and De'Andre Hogues each added six tackles
> Alabama State recorded 20 first downs
> The Hornets racked up 309 total yards, with 167 coming through the air
> Ezra Gray led the ground game with 130 yards rushing on 20 carries
> Darryl Pearson was 13-of-30 passing for 114 yards and a pair of interceptions
> Wallace Corker finished with four catches for 24 yards
> Christian Clark pace the Hornets defense with eight tackles
> Dennis Roberts registered seven tackles
News & Notes
> Saturday's win marked the first time in the Fobbs era with a shutout
> The last time Grambling State shutout an opponent was Oct. 15, 2011 (44-0 win over Concordia)
> Saturday was High School Day on the campus of Grambling State University.
> Grambling State picked up its first SWAC win of the season
> This is the 41st meeting between the two teams
> The Tigers extended its home win streak to 13 games
> Grambling State has won 26 straight SWAC games
> Broderick Fobbs improves to 4-1 all-time against Alabama State
> Grambling State improves to 28-13 all-time against Alabama State
> Fobbs remains 10 win's shy of 50 for his career
> GSU started Aldon Clark at quarterback but Geremy Hickbottom entered game in the fourth quarter
> Alabama State came in ranked 15th in the nation in red zone defense (.700) through three games
> Saturday's game was broadcasted live on ESPN3
Up Next
Grambling State will travel to Dallas, Texas for the 95th Annual State Fair Classic to take on Prairie View A&M next Saturday. Kickoff from the Cotton Bowl is set for 4 p.m. The Tigers accounted for over 400 total yards in the 2017 matchup in a 34-21 victory over the Panthers. Prairie View A&M is coming into the contest off a 62-13 victory on Saturday over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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