40th Annual Bayou Classic: Southern Over Grambling 40-17, Heading to SWAC Championship

Southern Jaguars, winners of the 40th Annual Bayou Classic
Photo credit Rodney Fisher 

by +Rodney Fisher 

Since 1974, Southern University and Grambling State University have met in the proud city of New Orleans on Thanksgiving weekend to play the SWAC's version of a bowl game. The Bayou Classic remains the only nationally televised HBCU event, making it the biggest recruitment tool for both storied programs.


This year's contest has a totally different vibe than most. Back in October, the Tigers of GSU boycotted their own school and refused to play Jackson State on their homecoming in order to bring light to black college sports dirty little secret. Despite the lucrative classics throughout the country, HBCU sports programs remain under funded to the point that players spend as much time fighting health problems as they do other teams.

The Tigers, even at 1-10, are the welcomed sight to see. Many fans that make their yearly homecoming to the jazz city thought this year would be a question mark. "I think our young men this year got some things accomplished by stepping out of the box," commented GSU interim head coach Dennis "Dirt" Winston during the Bayou Classic press conference. He continued, "A lot of people got behind them for that. I'm proud of them for doing that. I actually cried because I saw myself in that position years ago and to see them in the position they were in this year really brought tears to my eyes."

Winston is the team's third head coach this season and has yet to be given any assurance that he will return next season.

40th Annual Bayou Classic. Photo credit Rodney Fisher 

The Southern Jaguars came in to today's game more worried about next week when they will face Jackson State for the SWAC Championship in Houston. Many Southern alumni and fans decided to skip today's road trip to save money to go to Houston for a better matchup. Afterall, they can watch this game from home for a change. At kickoff, the stadium was about a third full.

Jonathan Williams started at quarterback for the GSU Tigers. He gave the Jaguars their first turnover of the night after only 2:24 off the clock, an interception by Dionte McDuffy. Quarterback Dray Joseph and running back Lenard Tillery took over on the offensive end leading a 85-yard nine-play drive capped by a rushing touchdown at the 7:52 mark in the first quarter. The extra point was blocked by GSU. 6-0.

Williams bounced back with a 14-play 60-yard drive ending in a field goal by Juan Vazquez to put the Tigers on the board before the end of the first quarter. 6-3 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Joseph answered with a TD pass to Lee Doss at the 12:56 mark in the second quarter making it 13-3 in favor of the Jags.

From there, the Jags began to pour it on with a rushing touchdown by Willie Quinn and another pass to Lee Doss for a score. With his second touchdown catch, Doss became the first 1,000 yard receiver at the school since 2009. 27-3 all Southern at halftime.

Grambling came out after the riveting halftime show to their first turnover of the game, an acrobatic interception by Naquan Smith. Williams led the Tigers down the field for their second score of the game, a touchdown pass to Robert Bailey. 27-10.

Southern continued to move the ball at will, winning the game 40-17 led by Doss' three touchdown catches. He along with GSU's Jonathan Williams were named MVPs.

Southern heading to SWAC Championship in Houston.
Photo credit Rodney Fisher 

The trophy presentation for Southern was more about their upcoming championship game than winning the classic. For Grambling, they return to Ruston, Louisana with more questions to answer.

Follow Rodney Fisher on Twitter @RodneyFisherNBA