41st Annual Bayou Classic Preview: Grambling State Tigers (8-2) vs Southern Jaguars (8-3)

GSU Tigers (8-2) take on SU Jaguars (8-3) in the 41st Bayou Classic. Photo credit:SWAC

When Grambling State University and Southern University kick-off for the 41st time for the historic Bayou Classic, the winner will advance to the SWAC championship. An old rivalry has new meaning...
+Rodney Fisher

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.

Southern Holds on to Beat Grambling at Bayou

Courtesy SWAC.org

Sat, November 24, 2012

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Dray Joseph threw for five touchdowns as Southern University overcame an early deficit and held on late to defeat Grambling State 38-33 on Saturday in the Bayou Classic.

Grambling trailed 38-20 early in the fourth quarter but cut into Southern's lead with two touchdowns. The Tigers reached Southern's 41-yard line, but Grambling quarterback Frank Rivers was sacked and fumbled to end the game.

The game marked the end of disappointing seasons for both teams.

Southern (4-7, 3-6 Southwestern Athletic Conference) fired coach Stump Mitchell two games into the season and expects to replace interim coach Dawson Odoms. Grambling (1-10, 0-9), the defending league champion, ended the season with one victory for the first time since 1941 -- the school's inaugural year under legendary coach Eddie Robinson.

Grambling took a 14-0 lead, converting a pair of fumbles by Southern into touchdown passes by D.J. Williams.

Joseph finished with 287 yards passing.