By: Brian Howard, Sports Information Director
GRAMBLING, La. | There will be a lot at stake in the 45th Annual Bayou Classic when the Grambling State University football team takes on rival Southern University in a key Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) West Division game. Forget the records as the the winner of the annual rivalry game will advance to the 2018 SWAC Football Championship Game to face Alcorn State. Kickoff for the Bayou Classic is set for 4 p.m. from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The Bayou Classic will air live on the NBC Sports Network, with Todd Harris (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (color) and Lewis Johnson (sideline reporter) calling the game. Grambling State will broadcast the game on the Grambling State Sports Radio Network. The game can be heard in Ruston (KPCH 99.3 FM) and in Monroe (KJMG 97.3 FM). The Tigers' broadcast crew of Santoria Black, Ossie Clark, Leon Thomas and Nick Harrison will call all of the action.
The SWAC West Division title is on the line in this winner-take-all game on Saturday. Last weekend, Alcorn State secured the East Division championship for the fifth consecutive season and will host the 2018 SWAC Football Championship Game on Dec. 1.
Grambling State (6-4 Overall, 4-2 SWAC) comes into the rivalry fresh off a bye week as the Tigers last took the field on Nov. 9 with a 29-16 non-conference victory over Alabama A&M. Grambling State will enter off three straight victories (Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Mississippi Valley State and Alabama A&M).
Southern holds the top spot in the SWAC West and come into the game off a bye week as the Jaguars last took the field on Nov. 9 with a 56-24 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Jaguars will enter on a four-game win streak, which began with a 38-0 victory over Prairie View A&M on Oct. 13.
About this Game
> This will be the 70th meeting in the series, with Southern leading the all-time series, 36-33
> Grambling State leads the Bayou Classic, 23-21, including winning the last three matchups
> The series began in 1932 with Southern claiming a 20-0 victory
> The Bayou Classic began in 1974, with Grambling State shutting out the Jaguars, 21-0
> Legendary Tiger head coach Eddie G. Robinson went 13-11 in the Bayou Classic
> Current Grambling State head coach
Broderick Fobbs is 3-1 in the annual rivalry game
> The Tigers are currently riding a three-game win streak in the Bayou Classic and hold the longest win streak in the series, which was nine games from 1970-1978
> Southern has outscored Grambling State, 1,552-1,493, but in terms of the Bayou Classic, the Tigers have outscored the Jaguars, 1,172-1,049
> Of the 69 total games played in the series, 21 of those games have been decided by at least one score
> The most points Southern scored in the series was 64, coming in a 64-6 win in 1935
> The most points Grambling State has registered in the series was 55, coming in a 55-20 victory in 1977
> Winner of Saturday's rivalry game will capture the SWAC West Division Championship and will meet East Division winner, Alcorn State, on Dec. 1 in the 2018 SWAC Football Championship Game in Lorman, Miss.
> The Bayou Classic will be televised and streamed live on the NBC Sports Network
Grambling State - Last Time Out
> Grambling State enters the week off a bye and last played on Nov. 9 with a non-conference 29-16 win at Alabama A&M
> The Tigers finished with 19 first downs and 340 total yards of offense
>
Geremy Hickbottom was 12 of 22 passing for 146 yards, with one touchdown and one interception
>
Devante Davis caught four passes for 57 yards and one score
>
Joseph McWilliams had a 20-yard interception for a score and a two-conversation after a blocked PAT
>
Devanir Martin sealed the victory late in the third quarter when he returned an interception 35 yards for a score
Southern - Last Time Out
> Southern enters the week off a bye and last played on Nov. 9 with a 56-24 victory at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff
> The Jaguars racked up 20 first downs and 589 total yards of offense against the Golden Lions
> Ladarius Skelton was 12-of-15 passing for 283 yards and four touchdowns
> Randall Menard caught two passes - both for touchdowns - for 85 yards
> Alfred Palomino and Calvin Lunkins paced the defense with six tackles each
Last Time Against Southern
> In the 44th Annual Bayou Classic, Grambling State jumped out to an early lead after touchdowns by
Devante Kincade and
Martez Carter and took a 17-7 advantage into the half
> Southern rallied and took a 21-20 with 5:02 remaining
> The final five minutes belonged to Grambling State as as
Martez Carter scored on an 11-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 27-21 lead with 3:22 left
> After a strip sack by
Brandon Varner,
Marc Orozco sealed the victory with a 36-yard field goal with 1:39 left as Grambling State earned a 30-21 win
How We Got Here
> Grambling State began the season as the reigning SWAC West Division Champion and was selected as the top chose to repeat in the preseason rankings
> The Tigers dropped conference games to Prairie View A&M and Alcorn State
> The Jaguars fell to Alcorn State on Sept. 29, 20-3
> Grambling State got help along the way as Prairie View A&M got three straight to Southern, Alcorn State and Jackson State
> The Panthers' losses opened the door for the winner-take-all game in the Bayou Classic.
Inside The Numbers
> Grambling State has won the last three in the annual rivalry
> The Tigers are 7-3 against the Jaguars in their last 10 matchups
> Grambling State will wear its all-black jerseys and are 7-2 all-time under
Broderick Fobbs
> The Tigers are 14-2 in the month of November under head coach
Broderick Fobbs
> Grambling State is 3-1 against Southern during the
Broderick Fobbs era
>
Joseph McWilliams has four interceptions in the last five games, including a 20-yard touchdown return against Alabama A&M on Nov. 9
> In the 69 previous games in the rivalry, 21 of those games have been decided by at least one score
> Southern is averaging 27.2 points and 345.7 total yards per game
> Grambing State is averaging 29.4 points and 391.4 total yards per game
Accolades
>
De'Arius Christmas is a Finalist for the National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy
>
De'Arius Christmas is a Finalist for the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Defensive Player of the Year Award
>
Joseph McWilliams was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week and College Sports Madness SWAC Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 11
>
Devanir Martin earned the SWAC Newcomer of the Week honor on Nov. 11
> Ladarius Skelton was selected the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 11
Up Next
It is either win or go home during the final regular season game of the season for both teams. Just like Michigan-Ohio State, the winner gets bragging rights for 365 days and a chance to play for a conference championship. The winner of Saturday's Bayou Classic will advance to the 2018 SWAC Football Championship Game against East Division winner, Alcorn State, on Saturday, Dec. 1 in Lorman, Miss.
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