Tests for Grambling next year will come early, often

Grambling’s players and coaches have already begun to peer down the road at the season’s first month.

They could be in for a bumpy ride.

“This is no slap against anyone,” said third-year coach Rod Broadway, “but our first four games are tough. We could be a better football team and not win as many games because of the schedule.”

On consecutive weekends to begin the year, Grambling plays South Carolina State, Northwestern State, Jackson State and Oklahoma State.

“Preparation is the key,” said quarterback Greg Dillon, who led Grambling to eight straight wins and the 2008 SWAC title after securing the starting role on Oct. 4. “We’re trying to get back to where we were, back to championship game. We know it’s going to be hard, but that’s what we are working for. We are going to have to make some good things happen early. That’s a big focus.”

Grambling, now in Week 2 of its spring practice sessions, traded the 2009 season opener against Alcorn State (2-10 last year, and a cellar-dweller in the SWAC East) for a TV date with South Carolina State in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge.

The Bulldogs, under head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough, compiled a 10-3 overall mark — most since 1994 under Willie Jeffries — and went undefeated in league player on the way to a MEAC crown in 2008.

–A week later, Grambling hosts traditional Southland Conference power Northwestern State at The Rob.

The Demons, winners of a 31-19 decision last season against GSU in Natchitoches, just hired LSU’s co-defensive coordinator to take over the program. Bradley Dale Peveto promptly collected Rivals.com’s top-ranked FCS signing day class.

Peveto was defensive coordinator for the Demons under the school’s winningest head coach, Sam Goodwin, as NSU captured the Southland in 1997-98, going 19-7.

–A rematch of the last two Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Games follows, as Jackson State plays host to GSU. Jackson won the SWAC in 2007, followed by Grambling’s victory last December.

–Then, on the final Saturday of September — yes, we are still in the year’s initial month — Grambling travels to Stillwater, Okla., to take on Oklahoma State. Last year, this second non-conference slot was filled with NAIA Langston, a game Grambling won 13-2.

Oklahoma State shot out of the gate in 2008, starting 7-0 and earning a No. 7 spot in the AP poll, though the Cowboys then slipped to 9-4 and No. 16. A loss to Oregon in the Holiday Bowl concluded OSU’s 2008 season.

No surprise then that these spring sessions have boasted a rare focus. September looms like storm clouds over practice.

“Those first four games, they are going to be tough,” said defensive back Kenneth Anio, who tied for second on the team in 2008 with five interceptions. “We are going to find out a lot about where we stand.”