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Grambling looks to go back-to-back in SWACAfter ending an eight-game losing streak to Southern in Saturday's Bayou Classic, head coach Doug Williams and his Grambling State Tigers can take aim at their second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference title. That's what's on the table Saturday at Birmingham's Legion Field when the 9-1 G-Men look for revenge against L. C. Cole's Hornets of Alabama State in the 3rd SWAC Championship Game. E. Div. champ ASU (8-3) handed W. Div. titlist Grambling its only loss of the season back on Nov. 3 when quarterback Darnell Kennedy, named Tuesday as the SWAC's offensive player of the year, threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 66 yards and another two scores in a 45-38 Hornet win. Wide receiver Floyd "BJ" Tiger caught 10 of Kennedy's aerials for 196 yards while Eugene Johnson had five receptions for 145 yards and two scores in the game. Grambling played that game with freshman Bruce Eugene at quarterback. Senior Randy Hymes was back at the controls for the 30-20 win over Southern Saturday. Hymes put up 27 first quarter points, running in from 61 yards and throwing three TD passes en route to a 330-yard passing day. Hymes sprained his ankle Saturday but Williams expects him to be ready for the title game. "He'll be OK," Williams said after Saturday's game. "When we get back home we'll just rub it with a little red clay mud." The game will also feature the SWAC's top two rushers in ASU's Larry Bias (1,117 yds., 11 games) and Grambling's Brad Hill (955 yds., 10 games). The two teams also dominated selections to the SWAC all-conference team announced Tuesday. Both placed eight players on the first team, while Grambling placed another five on the second team. The Tigers are trying to win back-to-back SWAC championships for the first time since 1979-80. Grambling won four consecutive SWAC crowns from 1977-80. Alabama State is trying to win its second title (1991).
© 2001 Azeez Communications, Inc.
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