Grambling State won its opener versus Langston University in the Shreveport (La.) Kickoff Classic on Saturday before a crowd of 18,435. It was a big deal.
The Tigers’ next opponent also won its opener — in a game that was a slightly bigger deal. No. 3 Ohio State defeated then-No. 1 Texas in front of 107,524 in Columbus to ascend to the top of the poll this week.
There figures to be at least 100,000 in attendance on Saturday to find out whether No. 1 Ohio State (1-0) or Grambling (1-0) remains undefeated after Week 2.
For the reigning national champion Buckeyes, it’s just their second game against an FCS opponent in the last 12 years.
For Grambling, which hasn’t enjoyed a winning season since 2019, it’s a $1 million payout and a one-in-a-million shot at an upset.
“We understand what’s going to happen,” said Grambling second-year coach Mickey Joseph. “We understand it’s not balanced in the scholarships, not balanced in what they have resource-wise. We all know why we’re playing the game.
“It’s a great opportunity. They’re a well-coached team. You don’t win a game like that (Texas), win a national championship on that level and not be good.”
Ohio State coach Ryan Day also knows the game should be a mismatch, but isn’t concerned about a letdown because he found many areas where the Buckeyes can get better.
“There’s so many things that we’ve got to improve on, and that’s what we’ve got to do regardless of the opponent,” he said. “I think we were able to build some confidence moving forward with guys who haven’t played a bunch of football.”
Defensively, the Buckeyes were on top of their game against much-heralded quarterback Arch Manning, limiting him to one late touchdown. The offense, however, struggled with Julian Sayin making his first start.
Ohio State gained 203 total yards and averaged just 2.3 yards per rush. Sayin, a redshirt freshman tasked with replacing Will Howard, was a modest 13 of 20 for 126 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown to Carnell Tate, but committed no turnovers.
“We felt like he took care of the ball,” Day said. “Made some good throws … he never flinched.”
However, star receiver Jeremiah Smith made six catches off 10 targets for only 43 yards. He had two drops, including one on the first drive of the game on fourth down.
“I thought (Sayin) threw a heck of a ball,” Day said. “It was his first start ever. We’ve got to help him out.”
Day admitted the play calling against Texas was conservative, but a more aggressive approach is in the offing against Grambling.
“It’s a great start. Was it all perfect? No,” Day said. “Do we need to play even harder? Yes. The execution, the details, the fundamentals — we’ve got miles to go.”
Grambling is breaking in a quarterback — or is it quarterbacks? — as well. Southern transfer C’zavian Teasett won the preseason battle over Ashton Frye and was 20 of 25 for 203 yards and three TDs in the 55-7 win against Langston, an NAIA school. Frye was 6 of 8 for 44 yards and an 11-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
“We plan on going in this game also playing two quarterbacks,” Joseph said.
Joseph said he will measure success against the Buckeyes by how well his team executes.
“We want it to be clean. We want to come out of here healthy,” he said. “My kids understand that. My coaches understand that and I hope the Grambling fans understand that.”