Texas Southern University (TSU) is set to host Grambling State University (GSU) this Saturday at 6 p.m. at Shell Energy Stadium. For fans wondering, Where Is Grambling State? Grambling State University is located in Grambling, Louisiana. This weekend, however, their football team will be traveling to Houston, Texas, to face off against Texas Southern in a crucial Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchup.
Both teams are eager to solidify their position in the SWAC West division. Texas Southern is aiming to stay competitive in the SWAC race after a close defeat to Southern University a couple of weeks prior. Like TSU, Grambling State also carries two losses in the conference, making this game a pivotal contest for both programs.
For those unable to attend the game in person at Shell Energy Stadium, live audio coverage will be available on KTSU 90.9 FM. Additionally, fans can stream the game live on the SWAC Digital Network, ensuring everyone can catch the action regardless of where Grambling State or Texas Southern fans are located.
Interestingly, this game marks the second consecutive time TSU will compete against a team featuring a former player. Grambling State’s safety, Calvin Henderson, previously played for Texas Southern for three seasons. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to Saturday’s game as former teammates become rivals on the field.
This weekend’s game concludes a four-game home stand for Texas Southern, which began on September 28th and extends to October 26th. Notably, TSU has remained within the state of Texas throughout this stretch, highlighting their regional focus in this part of the season.
Grambling State, predicted to finish third in the SWAC West, is under the leadership of their new head coach, Mickey Joseph. After an initial loss, GSU achieved three consecutive non-conference victories. However, they then faced setbacks in SWAC West play, losing to Prairie View A&M and Alcorn State by narrow margins. Most recently, Grambling State secured a win against UAPB during their homecoming game, marking their first SWAC victory of 2024 and building momentum heading into the game against Texas Southern.
Texas Southern boasts six players who received preseason All-SWAC honors. Linebacker Jacob Williams earned first-team recognition, while defensive end Michael Akins, offensive lineman Mehdi Torrence, linebacker Isaiah Bogerty, quarterback Jace Wilson, and defensive back Javius Williams were named to the second team. These preseason accolades highlight the talent present on the Texas Southern roster.
TSU was projected to finish sixth in the SWAC West. This season, the Tigers are tasked with replacing their all-time leading rusher, LaDarius Owens. Despite this significant departure, Texas Southern returns a solid core of experienced players, with five returning starters on offense and eight on defense.
Historically, Grambling State has dominated the series against Texas Southern, winning eight of the last 11 encounters. However, Texas Southern fans remember their last victory over GSU, which occurred in Houston in 2022, providing hope for a potential repeat this Saturday.
Currently, Texas Southern’s defense ranks fourth overall in the SWAC, allowing 333.8 yards per game. Offensively, however, TSU is ranked 11th, averaging 251.0 yards per game. Improving offensive output will be key for Texas Southern to secure a win against Grambling State.
Linebacker Jacob Williams is building upon an impressive previous season where he recorded 106 tackles and eight sacks. TSU is seeking to have back-to-back 100-plus tacklers, a feat last achieved by linebacker Kevin Harris from 1988-90. Williams was TSU’s first player to surpass 100 tackles in a season since 2004, demonstrating his consistent high level of performance.
Cris Dishman is the 18th head coach in the history of Texas Southern Football. He faces a significant challenge, as the program has a history of struggles, with only 28 winning seasons in 77 years and no winning season since 2000. Dishman will be looking to change the trajectory of the program and a win against a rival like Grambling State would be a significant step in that direction.
This weekend’s game is more than just a regular season contest; it’s a SWAC West division battle with historical context and individual player storylines. For fans asking, where is Grambling State, they are coming to Houston, and they are coming to compete.
