New Orleans– Southern University Jaguars broke the Classic tie between Grambling State University by defeating them in a tough battle of 52-45. The Jaguars will now move forward and head to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship in December to compete against Alcorn State (7-2).
 
In the first quarter of the highly anticipated game, the Jaguars started off strong by scoring two touchdowns. Southern's defense also left the Tigers scoreless in the first quarter. It wasn't until the second quarter when Cedric Skinner went into the endzone off of a two-yard run to score a Grambling touchdown within seconds.
 
In less than a minute, the Jaguars answered back with another touchdown by No. 21 Lenard Tilery with 10:22 remaining in the second quarter. Southern then put up 10 more points, which put them in the lead 31-10. Then with eight seconds remaining before halftime, GSU's Verlon Hunter received a five-yard pass from Williams for a Tiger Touchdown.
 
The tempo of the game quickly shifted after Ka'Jand Domino returned a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter.  Domino finished the game with four returns for 170 yards. He also had 24 receiving yards off of two catches. 
 
Coming into the fourth quarter, the Tigers were down by 14 points, but that quickly changed after Hunter caught a 14-yard pass from Williams in the endzone. Then the unexpected happened, Southern's Jaleel Richardson returned a 79-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. With 7:30 remaining on the clock, Williams scrambled away from Southern's defenders trying to look for an open receiver. He then saw No. 80 Chester Rogers wide open down the field and threw a 76-yard pass for a touchdown.
 
As the clock started trickling down, Grambling's defense prevented Southern from getting in the redzone. Southern tried attempted a field goal with 2:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, but No. 27 Tyree Hollins blocked the kick and No. 19 Nicholas Peoples recovered the ball and brought the Tigers to the 39 yard line in Grambling's territory.
 
The Tigers continued to move the ball forward. Williams then ran the ball within inches of the goal line, however; the Tigers were unable to score.
 
Despite the tough loss against their rival, Southern University (8-1), Johnathan Williams was the 41^st Annual Bayou Classic MVP for Grambling State University (7-2). Williams had an impressive game. He threw 450 yards, rushed 87 yards off of 20 carries and had four passing touchdowns. The Tigers will now look forward to preparing for next year's season.