Southern rallies, stuns Grambling in 52nd Bayou Classic

The 52nd annual Bayou Classic delivered the drama, energy, and cultural fireworks that make it one of the most anticipated rivalries in HBCU football. This year, Southern owned the entire experience — the Battle of the Bands and the fourth quarter of what became a 28-27 victory that’s destined to be long remembered in Louisiana.

Entering the game, Southern struggled with a 1-10 record, while Grambling was a confident 7-4. Overconfident, as it turned out. The Tigers struck first, closing the opening quarter ahead 7-0. Early in the second quarter, they capitalized on an interception that quickly turned into a touchdown, stretching the lead. Southern answered midway through the quarter with a touchdown of its own, but Grambling immediately struck back — only to have that touchdown recalled due to an offensive pass interference penalty that pushed the Tigers back 15 yards.

Undeterred, Grambling secured a field goal to extend its lead. With less than 30 seconds remaining, Southern intercepted the ball and hustled into field-goal range. Their 48-yard attempt to close the half fell short, ending the second quarter with Grambling firmly ahead 17-7.

Halftime showdown: Southern vs. Grambling

The halftime show, presented by Allstate, opened with Southern University and its “often imitated, but never duplicated” Human Jukebox band. Juvie the Great hit the field draped in SU pride from head to toe, complete with blue-tinted sunglasses and an SU letterman jacket. Juvenile hyped the crowd instantly and delivered his iconic “Back That Thang Up” before his performance was cut short to make way for the world-famed Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band. It turned out to be an impossible act to follow, but Grambling did the best it could.

From the moment Grambling stepped onto the field, the energy shifted from the excellence displayed at first. The “baddest band in the land” rolled out classics like Luther Vandross’ “Having a Party,” spelled out “#GramFam” across the field with precision, and sent waves through the Superdome with their rendition of “Love” by Keyshia Cole.

Then came their star moment. Glorilla emerged, decked out in a Michael Jackson-inspired outfit, and the dome erupted. She tore through her set, turned up with the Tigers, and closed with one of her biggest hits, “Let Her Cook.” It was a performance worthy of the consolation prize, but effort should be applauded, even when it falls short — and that, as it turned out, was a bad omen for Grambling.

Third-quarter touchdowns

The third quarter opened with Grambling kicking off, but its momentum stalled as they failed to secure a first down and quickly gave Southern the ball. The Jaguars took advantage of the opportunity and punched in a touchdown, tightening the gap and stirring new hope on their sideline. Grambling tried vainly to keep the tide from turning. The Tigers regrouped, marched down the field with purpose, and responded with a touchdown of their own, silencing Southern’s spark and reestablishing control. By the end of the third quarter, Grambling comfortably maintained a 24-14 lead, the game firmly in its hands. Firmly and, it turned out, briefly.

The Tigers’ 10-point lead looked daunting. But looks can be deceiving.

The fourth quarter happened — because nobody gets a prize for winning the first three. And just as Southern’s “Human Jukebox” rocked the house in the Battle of the Bands, so did the Jaguars in the fourth quarter. Nobody gave the Jaguars a chance, but they won their second game of the season — the game that counts most in Baton Rouge — by outscoring the shellshocked Tigers 14-3 in the final period.

One good Southern quarter outweighed three good ones by Grambling. It was almost sad to see, the Tigers reduced to tears in front of a nationwide audience.

Better luck next time, Grambling.