This year at LGHL, the day before Ohio State games we are trying something a little different. “3 & Out” is going to inform you on the upcoming opponent for the Buckeyes. By the name, you probably could tell we are going to handle things in threes.
Along with highlighting three key players from Ohio State’s opponents, we will shed some light on three things the Buckeyes have to be wary of, and close things out by having a little fun by mentioning three notable alumni or facts from the school that’ll
be matching up with Ohio State.
On Saturday, Ohio State will host Grambling State in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. This marks the fifth time since 2007 that the Buckeyes have squared off with an FCS foe, and is one of 16 games on the schedule this weekend being played between FBS and FCS schools.
After taking down Texas 14-7 in last week’s season opener, Ohio State should be able to breathe a little easier on Saturday. The last time the Buckeyes took on a SWAC school was in 2013 when they defeated Florida A&M 76-0.
To fully prepare you for Saturday’s game against the Tigers, we will highlight three Grambling State players to know, three things Ohio State has to be wary of, three interesting pop culture nuggets about Grambling State, followed by a score prediction for the contest.
1st down
Players to Watch from Grambling State
1) Tre Bradford
The running back is coming off a season opener where he rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown against Langston, along with catching a pass for 22 yards. Bradford was Grambling State’s second-leading rusher last year, finishing 2024 with 403 yards rushing and five scores.
Bradford originally committed to LSU out of high school, where he was a four-star recruit. As a freshman, Bradford appeared in five games, scoring his first career touchdown at Florida. After a stint at Oklahoma, Bradford returned to LSU.
During his time with the Tigers, Bradford rushed for 70 yards on 16 carries before transferring to Grambling State. One of the reasons Bradford transferred to Grambling State is the Tigers hired Mickey Joseph prior to the 2024 season. Joseph had been on the LSU staff when Bradford joined the program.
Bradford already has played in some tough environments in the SEC, so he won’t be rattled by what he’ll encounter on Saturday inside Ohio Stadium. While Bradford and the Tigers will face a tall task in trying to solve the Buckeye defense, there’s no doubt Bradford has the athleticism to make plays.
2) Blake Davis
After only throwing for 126 yards last week against Texas, expect Ohio State to air out the football more on Saturday. The best player in the Grambling State secondary is Blake Davis, who earned preseason All-SWAC honors.
Last season Davis finished with 41 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. Along with being named preseason All-SWAC, Davis was named to the Aeneas Williams Award preseason watch list, with the award being given annually to the best HBCU defensive back.
Prior to arriving at Grambling State, Davis played for San Jose State. Once Mickey Joseph took over at Grambling State he was interested in bringing Davis into the program since he was looking for big, physical presences in the secondary.
The only thing that Joseph was skeptical about is if Davis would be willing to make the move from California to Louisiana. Luckily for Joseph, Davis would go on to commit to transferring from San Jose State to Grambling State.
Davis will likely have plenty of opportunities to make plays against the Buckeyes since Julian Sayin will be targeting Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate early and often. Even though the Tigers are massive underdogs in the game, Davis can grab the attention of NFL scouts if he is able to keep the football out of the hands of the talented receivers from Ohio State.
3) Bryce Cage
One Tiger who will be looking to notch the first sack of the season against the Ohio State offensive line is Bryce Cage. Expectations are high for the Utah State transfer after he was named to the Stars Performance HBCU National Player of the Year watch list. In the season opener against Langston, Cage recorded four tackles and half a sack.
Last season Cage announced his arrival in the SWAC with 49 tackles and 11 TFLs, with four of those stops behind the line of scrimmage being sacks. Cage was a monster in Grambling State’s biggest game of the season, totaling nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss against Grambling. With how Cage performed last season, he was named preseason All-SWAC.
Even though Ohio State was able to stonewall Colin Simmons and the rest of the Texas defense, the offensive line still has a few new starters and guys playing in relatively new positions, like Austin Siereveld. If there are any lapses on the line, Cage will be there to take advantage.
2nd down
What Ohio State has to be wary of
1) Avoid the hangover
We have seen it time and time again at Ohio State and across college football. After a big win, teams are prone to a slow start the next game against a lesser opponent.
While Grambling State isn’t loaded with talent like the Buckeyes are, the Tigers are treating this like their Super Bowl because of the exposure they will be getting. If Ohio State isn’t careful, Grambling State could hang around longer than many are expecting.
Last year the Buckeyes had an issue with slow starts, and those problems could be magnified with a bunch of new starters. The first couple series of the game will be telling. If Ohio State is flagged early on and miss some assignments it will be an indicator they aren’t as locked in as they should be.
On the other hand, if the Buckeyes treat Grambling State like they did Tennessee and Oregon in the playoff, it will be a long afternoon for Mickey Joseph and the Tigers.
2) Fend off the injury bug
With the expansion of the College Football Playoff, staying healthy is paramount. Aside from injuries to Josh Simmons and Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State had a lot of injury luck in their run to the title. The Buckeyes will have to be just a lucky this year if they have designs on repeating as national champs.
Ohio State escaped a physical game with Texas largely unscathed aside from Kenyatta Jackson Jr. picking up a knock. Even though Jackson could play this weekend, there is no reason to rush him back, especially when considering the depth of the defensive line.
This would be a great opportunity to get some of the greener defensive linemen some snaps and game experience to prepare them their number possibly being called later in the year. There’s no use in rushing Jackson back on the field and having him aggravate his injury.
3) Don’t overlook Grambling State
Everybody knows this game shouldn’t be close. Don’t let what people think should happen affect how you play. There was a time when nobody thought Appalachian State could beat Michigan. Then the Mountaineers went into Michigan Stadium and beat the Wolverines.
Anything could happen on any given Saturday. Although, if the Buckeyes lose on Saturday then Ryan Day might want to resign because the backlash would be like nothing ever seen before.
The goal on Saturday should be to show Grambling State respect, take care of business, and then focus on Ohio next week. The Tigers are going to play with nothing to lose in this game so Ohio State has to play with composure, especially if things don’t go their way out of the gate.
If the Buckeyes allow any early mistakes to compound, it could make this game closer than it should be.
3rd down
Fun Grambling State facts
1) A historic football program
While Eddie Robinson didn’t attend Grambling State, he would become one of the most famous football coaches in history at the university. Robinson not only coached the football program from 1941 to 1997, he also was head coach of the basketball program from 1943 to 1956.
During his time as football coach, Robinson compiled 408 wins, a record that would stand until Joe Paterno won his 409th game. As a head coach, Robinson had 45 winning seasons, a mark that likely will never be touched.
During his tenure as head coach, one of Robinson’s quarterbacks was Doug Williams, who would become the first African-American quarterback taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. After some time in the USFL, Williams became the first African-American quarterback to start in and win a Super Bowl with Washington in Super Bowl XXII.
Following the end of his playing career, Williams returned to Grambling State as head coach, posting a 61-34 record in two separate stints.
2) More sports excellence
Robinson and Williams weren’t the only notable names with ties to Grambling State. The school also produced Pro Football Hall of Famers Willie Brown, Buck Buchanan, and Charlie Joiner. Even though he didn’t make the Hall of Fame, Everton Walls was an All-Pro safety in the NFL.
Beyond football, Willis Reed is also a notable alum of Grambling State. Reed is one of the most famous figures in basketball because he played through an injury in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, willing the New York Knicks to victory.
Two other famous names from Grambling State are Ronnie Coleman and Ernie Ladd. Coleman is an eight-time winner of Mr. Olympia, and is regarded as the greatest bodybuilder of all time. Ernie Ladd played football for Grambling State and in the NFL before becoming a professional wrestler, where he was known as “Big Cat”. Ladd would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995.
3) GSU Tiger Marching Band
“The World Famous Tiger Band” is one of the most famous marching bands in the world. Before music artists played Super Bowl halftime shows, the Grambling State band played at halftime in Super Bowl I and II. The band would later be featured at halftime of Super Bowl XXXII with Boyz II Men and a number of other artists.
For fans in attendance on Saturday, The GSU Tiger Marching Band will be performing at Ohio Stadium, meaning two of the most famous marching bands in the world will be playing at the same event. This makes up for the Florida A&M marching band not making it to Columbus in 2013.
& Out
Prediction
Ohio State 66, Grambling State 3
Go Bucks!
