Grambling State University - Tiger Yearbook (Grambling, LA)

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Defensive unit readies for next play. SWAC Co-Champs Make Playoffs Tigers, Rob Make Grid History There will never be another football season like the one of 1985. : ‘Coach Eddie Robinson and his G-Men were the names and record breaking was their game. . From the very beginning, the eyes of the world were focused on “Dear Old Grambling,”’ and the fighting Tigers provided their fans with a hard-hitting, 13-act performance that kept sports historians busy. ; Of course, most attention centered around coach Robinso and his “bear hunt.’’ Completing his 44th year as head coach at GSU, Rob surpassed both Paul “Bear’’ Bryant’s 323 wins and George ‘“‘Papa Bear” Halas’ 326 victories to become the “winningest” coach in collegiate football history. His record now stands at 329-109-15. Rob’s record-shattering feat, however, didn’t over shadow the tremendous effort exerted by a very talented collection of Ti- gers. : For the 15th time, GSU finished at the top of the SWAC chart—this time as co-champions with Jackson State. Upon ending the regular season with a 9-2 mark (6-1 in the confer- ence), Grambling traveled to Jonesboro, Ark., for the first round of the NCAA 1-AA playoffs. A last-second Arkansas St. field goal finally brought GSU’s 1985 season to a close. Throughout the year, football analysts compared the ’85 - squad to the tremendously talented 1975 unit. And in many 130 Football instances, history actually repeated itself. Both teams got off to tremendous starts with convincing wins over Alcorn. Then major college foe Oregon State challenged the Tigers, but the Cats were too big and quick for the Beavers. One of the sternest tests came in Nashville. Not since 1975 had Grambling won in Tennessee. When the final gun sounded, it was GSU 31 and Tenn. St. 21. ‘Midway through the ‘75 and ’85 seasons, undefeated Grambling teams faced Jackson St. in Jackson, Miss. In both instances, Jackson prevailed. Another interesting comparison involved the Bayou Classics of 85 and ‘75. During the earlier confrontation with Southern, backup quarterback Darryl Zimmerman led the Tigers to-victo- ry after Doug Williams was injured. In 1985, second team signal caller Chauncey Allen guided Grambling to a 29-12 win. School field goal records were also broken during. both seasons by Larry Scrubbs in 1975 and Ardashir Nobahar in 1985. : Junior running back Wayne Hill led the G-Men in rushing by gaining 715 yards on 177 carries for a 54.8 average per game. Clyde Dyson, a sophomore fullback, followed with 526 yards on 116 hauls (42.9 yards per game). . In the passing category, senior quarterback Terrell Landry fired for 2,015 yards. This was accomplished by completing (continued on page 131)

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: SP ANKE ERIKA RAKE RLY POOLE ECT ECCT TCT CEE EO LET Johnson Best ‘Slammer’ Keith Johnson of Ringgold jammed his way to victory in the first annual Favrot Student Unior Board Slam Dunk Contest staged last spring in the Women’s Gymnasium. ; Participants battled in three separate rounds. In each round each player attempted three slams. A panel of judges chose the winners from a field of 15. Scoring was based on a one to 10 system. Placing second was John Griffith of Lake Providence while Rodney Boyd of New Orleans finished third. Gramblinites also participat- ed in three-point competition. i Contestants had 60 seconds to score as many points as possi- ble from designated spots on the court. THREE-POINT SHOOTING—(L-R) Jimmy Jackson (third), John Adams (first), I.L. Robinson (second). SLAM DUNK—(L-R) Keith Johnson, John Griffin, Rodney Boyd. Photos by MICHAEL BEATY Athletics 129

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Record Breaking Was Their Game (continued from page 130) 133 passes in 318 attempts for a .418 norm. Landry had 17 interceptions and a 183.2 yards per game average. The Lake Charles product also was the total offense leader with a 183.2 average per battle. Hill was next with 54.8. Leading all scorers was Hill, who tallied 96 points as the re- sult of 16 touchdowns. Kicker Ardashir Nobahar followed with 78 points. He booted 36 of 39 extra points and 14 of 22 field goals. Wingback John McFarland amazed 48 points through 8 TDs. But it was the defensive play that really propelled the Tigers throughout the year. : is Grambling’s receiving corps was hampered with injuries much of the year, but still performed admirably. McFarland headed the pack by grabbing 33 aerials for 580 yards and eight TDs. Tight end Arthur Wells nabbed 27 passes for 435 yards and two scores while Hill caught 24 bullets for 226 yards and six touchdowns. Wingback Marvin Thomas collected 17 throws for 255 yards and two scores. Multi-talented Robert Williams punted for 1,998 yards and a 35.7 average and also caught 13 passes for 209 yards and one TD. His season ended during the South Carolina St. game in which he suffered a fractured foot. Sophomore Kevin Desett was the punt return leader, racing Terrell Landry studies defensive set. for 314 yards and a 9.8 average. He also took kickoff return Rob, Chuck and players discuss upcoming season. honors with his 22.8 yards per carry average (251 total yards). Michael Lazard followed with 105 yards and 17.5 average. Then came Claude Landry with his 59 yards and 19.7 norm. But it was the defensive play that really propelled the Tigers. Linebackers Fred Collins Jr., James Harris and Joe Williams led the way. Collins led in solo tackles with 97 and was second in assists. Williams was credited with 55 assists and 59 indivi- dual tackles while Harris made 79 stops and recorded 42 assists. Harris threw more people for losses—21 tackles for 153 yards. The Monroe senior also led in sacks with 16%. Defensive ends Leonard Griffin and Brendell Hopkins followed with 9 and 6 respectively. Harris and Williams each had three fumble recoveries. Defensive back Robert Goins led in interceptions with seven for 114 yards. Victor Hill, also a defensive back, nabbed seven for 91 yards. Harris came next with six for 104 yards and de- fensive back Jeffrey Smith caught four for 60. Harris, Smith and Joe Williams all had a TD interception. Football 131