Anthony gets things going for Grambling

• By O.K. DAVIS
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 27, 2009

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GRAMBLING — With an open date before facing Bayou Classic rival Southern, Christian Anthony and his Grambling teammates got a break.

So did opponents of the Tigers who have had to deal with figuring out how to slow down the always-revved up defensive motor manned by Anthony.

There is no longer any debate about the talent that blesses the physique of the 6-foot-4 and 272-pound junior end from Birmingham, Ala.

“Without a doubt, he’s an outstanding player,” Grambling coach Rod Broadway said. “He’s one of the most talented players I’ve been fortunate to have coached. You can put him in the same category with Julius Peppers and Jevon Kearse.

“He’s that type of impact player on defense.”

Pretty good category, considering those two defensive linemen didn’t miss a beat in going from stardom in the college ranks to the NFL.

For now, Anthony is a tenacious quarterback-chasing Tiger who is among the country’s best at what he does.

And considering the season Anthony has been having, that level could be classified as either the Football Championship Subdivision or Football Bowl Subdivision.

It doesn’t really matter.

Following a recent 47-33 win over Texas Southern, Anthony was named as the Defensive Player of the Week for the FCS by The Sports Network.

He made a dent on practically every known statistical category for a defensive player in that game:

• Five tackles (three solos).
• One quarterback sack.
• Two quarterback hurries.
• An interception returned 33 yards to set up a touchdown.
• A fumble recovery for 24 yards to set up a touchdown.
• Two forced fumbles.

“I do what is needed to do in order to help us win,” he said. “I don’t think about what the boxscores are going to say after the game is over. When the game begins, that is when my work begins and I take it from there.”