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Arizona Football: Everything you need to know about the Grambling State game
Sep 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon (12) passes the ball during the third quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cougars won 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Football enters this game as a 46.5 point favorite despite the uncertainty of Redshirt Junior Quarterback, Anu Solomon.
Will Arizona and Coach Rodriquez bounce back after the heartbreaking loss to BYU last week?
Game Information: Grambling State (1-0) vs. Arizona (0-1)
Location: Tucson, Arizona – Arizona Stadium (56,029)
When: September 10, 2016
Game Time: 7:45 pm PST/MST
Television: Pac-12 Network
Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network & 107.5 KHYT FM, Brian Jeffries; and Lamont Lovett; sideline reporter, will also have the call
Series Lead: 0-0
Point Spread: Arizona -45.5, According to Oddshark, Grambling State will not score once, prediction Arizona 39 Grambling State 0
Last Meeting: This is the first meeting between the two teams.
Grambling State Football Notes:
While not much is known about this first-time opponent, it is well documented Grambling State was a once well-respected program and had one of the best coaches in the great Eddie Robinson.
However, it is quite sad to see a strong program diminish due to a facilities upgrade battle in 2013. The team actually boycotted a game against Jackson State in protest of their shoddy equipment, poor travel accommodations, and head coach firing.
It has been a few years since the boycott and after a solid season last year, Grambling State is led by their junior quarterback Devante Kincade, the Ole Miss transfer. The Tigers seem to use a two-quarterback system as well, or at least they did last week in their 72-12 drubbing of the Virginia University of Lynchburg.
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The Tigers built a 56-6 halftime lead as junior quarterback Kincade rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns on four carries. Back-up quarterback sophomore Trevon Cherry threw for 140 yards and two touchdowns as well.
In addition to the offensive firepower, the Tigers will also be bringing The World Famed Grambling Band.
Even though this is the first meeting between the two teams, it appears this is not the first meeting between Arizona and Grambling State’s marching band.
At the very first Super Bowl in 1967, both Arizona’s marching band, The Pride of Arizona as well as Grambling States band were a part of the halftime show.
It will be interesting to see how the Wildcats play against the Tigers. Arizona, of course, will have another challenge on their hands defensively. As we had said previously, the Tigers bring a talented and athletic quarterback in Kincade.
The Wildcats did well last week in containing BYU’s offense, holding the Cougars to only 18 points. If Arizona brings the intensity they had last week, they should do well.
With such a big spread in this one, it could get ugly pretty fast. And as Arizona cornerback Dane Cruikshank says, wear red!
When you come to Arizona Stadium on Saturday for our opener, WEAR RED! #BearDown #OurHouse pic.twitter.com/9OOSGcfJJp
— #Forever65 (@ArizonaFBall) September 8, 2016
Next: Arizona game notes and Game Prediction
Sep 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Colby Pearson (3) is tackled by Arizona Wildcats cornerback DaVonte
Arizona Football Notes:
The 2016 season didn’t quite start off with a bang as the Wildcats were hoping. Arizona had a tough challenge against a more-than-serviceable opponent in BYU, and the Wildcats ending up losing in heartbreak fashion by way of last-second field goal.
While Arizona is favored in this one, the Wildcats need to be focused and need to find a way to get into the win column for the first time this season.
Even though the Tigers don’t appear to be too tough of a challenge, upsets do happen, and the uncertainty at quarterback this week, and Arizona’s offensive struggles last week, we suppose it is possible, just not probable.
Rich Rodriguez did take some of the blame last week for the Wildcats’ inefficiencies, especially on the offensive end, and if Arizona hopes to return to a bowl game this year even with a daunting schedule, the offense is going to need to be more efficient than they were last Saturday.
Nick Wilson, of course, led the way, carrying the ball 17 times, and picking up 138 yards and two touchdowns last week. While it appears he seems to have returned to his dominant, freshman form, he is still considered injury prone, and but his health is going to be vital to Arizona’s success this season.
With the uncertainty of Solomon this week, Arizona will, of course, have to rely on Wilson a bit this week, and could call upon redshirt sophomore, Brandon Dawkins.
Although Solomon and Dawkins again are listed as “co-starters” on the depth chart for Grambling State, Rodriguez gave no indication that change will be coming.
He did say that he was “close” to playing Dawkins against BYU and that he’d like to get him some time against Grambling.
“If we’re moving the ball and scoring, great. We’ll leave the guy in there,” Rodriguez said. “If we’re not, we may not.”
Arizona’s key to this game is to start fast and start early. Just take care of business, and get hopefully get out of this one healthy and victorious.
Game Prediction: Arizona 45 Grambling State 10
Listen to Coach Rodriguez as he gives his thoughts following the BYU game, as well as his preview of the Grambling State game.
At Zona Zealots, we are excited to see the first home game of the season, and as always Arizona fans are encouraged to stay the whole game. BearDown, Arizona!
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