Grambling State University - Tiger Yearbook (Grambling, LA)

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ASU Edges Tigers In Playoffs Grambling’s dream of a national championship was eclipsed in Jonesboro, Ark., Nov. 30 when Arkansas State edged the Tigers 10-7 in the first round of the NCAA 1-AA playoffs. With five seconds remaining, ASU ‘“‘substitute”’ kicker Frank Richards drilled the 25-yard game -winning field goal. Defense was the name of the game for the G-Men as Grambling spent most of the afternoon stalling ASU drives deep in Tiger territory. . Meanwhile, Eddie’s offensive unit had to start with terri- ble field position—the best being the Tiger 25-yard line. With 45 seconds left in the first half, the Indians pro- duced their first score when fullback Rickey Jemison plunged in for a one-yard TD. Stuart Reid kicked the PAT. The score was set up by a controversial tackle eligible play. The A-State center snapped the ball and quarter- back Duane Brown left it on the ground and faked an op- tion right. Then tackle Ray Brown picked up the ball and ran 25 yards to the Grambling one. During the second half, Grambling’s defense continued to shut down the wishbone option, but the Tiger offense could get nothing going. Once back-up quarterback Chauncey Allen replaced Terrell Landry the GSU offense came alive briefly in the fourth quarter. Allen drove the Tigers to ASU’s one—a big chunk of the yardage coming on a 52-yard pass to John McFarland. On fourth and goal from the one, Robinson inserted Landry again and the signal caller sneaked in with 13:25 left. Ardashir Nobahar kicked the extra point to tie the score. But Grambling’s next two possessions ended in an inter- ception and punt and A-State got the ball back for its winning drive with 2:08 left in the game. From their own 45, the Indians moved in five plays to Grambling’s seven where Richards, who was 0-3 for the year on field goal attempts, connected for the decisive Defensive unit got a workout. lO-7 McFarland searches for an opening. Defense closes in on Indian runner.

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29-12 Jags Beaten Again Eddie Robinson’s crew chalked up its third straight win over arch rival Southern University by posting a 29-12 victory over the Jaguars before 56,742 fa ns in the Louisiana Superdome. By capturing the “Bayou Classic’ trophy, Grambling bolted into a first place tie with Jackson State and assured itself of an nee playoff spot. Leading the GSU scoring barrage was 160- pound place kick- er Ardashir Nobahar, who was credited with 28, 30 and 23- yard field goals. Wingback John McFarland, later named the Tiger MVP, also highlighted the GSU attack by rushing for 23 yards on five carries and catching five passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns, both from quarterback Chauncey Allen, who was substituting for starter Terrell Landry. Southern grabbed a 12-6 first quarter lead, but GSU went to the dressing room with a 13-12 margin on a 10-yard Allen to McFarland TD pass midway through the first stanza. Nobahar made one of the PATs. A verocious GSU defense held the Jags scoreless in the sec- ond half while Nobahar was helping kick Eddie Robinson to his 329th career victory. Closing out the scoring was running back Wayne Hill, who bolted over from the one with 7:15 left. Southern scored on a 43-yard pass from Alij Tapp to running back Ronald Scott and on a 25-yard halfback pass from Ervin Bennett to wideout Connell Swain. Out-of-bounds line tackles ‘McFarland. Nobahar kicks one of three field goals. Is it ballet or football?

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For All-American Honors Kodak Selects James Harris “He was the best athlete on our team this year.”’ That remark was made by coach Eddie Robinson after learning star linebacker James ‘Hollywood’ Harris had been named to the prestigious Kodak Division I-AA All America team. , “You name it and he did it for us on defense this sea- son,’ added Rob. The former All-American for Monroe’s Carroll High was the most complete defensive player in the SWAC, yet un- believably wasn’t named to the All-Conference first unit. In fact, Harris may very well be the first Division |-AA player ever chosen by Kodak who didn’t earn a berth on | his own All-Conference first team. The 6-3, 210-pound senior placed second in tackles during GSU’s regular season with 114, but compiled some eye-opening statistics: 21 total stops behind the line for a minus 153 yards, six pass interceptions for 104 yards, eight pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and 16.5 quarterback sacks. Hill and Rob discuss action. Six G-Men All-SWAC Grambling placed six players on the Southwestern Athletic Conference “‘dream team.” Taking first team All'SSWAC honors were offensive guards Dwayne Richard and Levelle Moore, kicker Ardashir Nobahar, defensive lineman Sean Smith, linebacker Fred Collins Jr. and defensive back Robert Goins. Running back Wayne Hill made the second squad as did defensive lineman James Polk and linebacker James Harris. Return specialist Kevin DeSett, defensive end Brendell Hopkins and linebacker Joe Williams received honorable mention honors. Ironically, Harris made the Kodak All-America first team, but could only manage a second unit spot on the All-SWAC squad. Harris cuts off runner. Sean Smith rests during South Carolina battle. Tigers Make All-Star Games For several Tigers, the season didn’t end at Jonesboro, Ark. Instead, it continued in the form of All-Star competition. Gramblinites were watched by thousands of viewers in such athletic events as the Freedom Bowl and the Blue and Gray Classic. James ‘Hollywood’ Harris put on such a show in the Freedom Bowl that he was named the SWAC’s most valuable defensive player. Defensive end Leonard Griffin, defensive back Robert Goins and linebacker Fred Collins Jr. also got plenty of action in the Atlanta contest. Griffin and Goins were also participants in the Blue-Gray game in Montgomery, Ala. ‘ Coach Eddie Robinson served as an assistant coach in the Freedom Bowl.