Grambling, Southern prepare for 36th meeting in Bayou Classic

Grambling, Southern prepare for 36th meeting in Bayou Classic

When most people think of the Thanksgiving holiday, ideas of family, good food and football usually come to mind.

Here in Louisiana, one tradition that stays on the mind of football fans during the Thanksgiving weekend is the annual showdown between the SWAC’s Grambling State Tigers and Southern Jaguars, better known as the State Farm Bayou Classic.

This Saturday in the Louisiana Superdome the Tigers and Jaguars will face off in the 36th meeting of their storied rivalry, which has featured slew of legendary players and coaches. Renowned figures such as late Grambling coach Eddie Robinson, Super Bowl MVP and former Grambling coach Doug Williams, former NFL Pro Bowler and Southern Jaguar Aeneas Williams among many others have added to the lore of the Bayou Classic throughout the years.

Widely considered as the premiere game in black college football, the halftime show of nationally-televised Bayou Classic typically generates as much excitement as the action during the game. Furthermore, the positive economic impact that the Bayou Classic has on the city of New Orleans is significant.

Southern (6-3, 3-2) enters this year’s game holding a slight 18-17 edge in the all-time Bayou Classic series. In his 16th year as Southern’s head coach, Pete Richardson has had much success coaching in the Bayou Classic, winning 11 times. Richardson spoke about the importance of competing in the Bayou Classic.

“You start the season, and the only thing the alumni want to know is what’s going to happen in the Bayou Classic,” Richardson said at the Bayou Classic Kickoff Press Conference. “They’re not concerned about championships. The only thing they’re concerned about is this game, and when you’ve been around a while you understand why. Because it a deep thing that’s involved in the culture of this state and two fine institutions.”

The same sentiments were expressed by 3rd year Grambling head coach Rod Broadway.

“It’s big,” Broadway said. “I’ve been involved in a lot of bowl games, a couple of Sugar Bowls, Orange Bowls, Fiesta Bowls, and this event is as good as any. As you know, a win in this thing means a lot to your season. ”

Typically, the winner of the Bayou Classic goes on to compete in the SWAC championship game as the representative of the Western Division. However, neither Southern nor Grambling will be competing for the conference championship as the Prairie View A&M Panthers and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs have earned spots in the title game. That puts that much more emphasis on bragging rights for both teams in this year’s Classic.

Grambling Athletic Director J. Lin Dawson offered an interesting take on what is to come in Saturday’s match.

“The camaraderie will be great,” Dawson said. “But in just a few days you can hold the gumbo and put the etoufee to the side. The bragging rights for 364 and 1/2 days come down to the final whistle. I’ve the opportunity to play here as a player, but it’s so much better and the game slows down when you’re watching from the stands.”

The Jaguars are looking to avenge 2008’s 29-14 loss at the hands of the Tigers. Southern is led by the pitch-and-catch combination of senior quarterback Bryant Lee and senior receiver Juamorris Stewart. Lee, who prepped at Hahnville, has thrown for 2259 and 22 touchdowns while completing 63% of his passes. Stewart has been Lee’s main target, with 69 receptions for 936 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“I have a lot of respect for Southern and the job the coach has done down there and (quarterback) Bryant Lee and Stewart,” Broadway said. “They have some outstanding players and it should be and outstanding football game this week and one that we are looking forward to participating in and competing against what I feel is and outstanding program.”

Grambling (6-4, 4-2) will try to use their potent rushing attack to earn consecutive victories over Southern. Junior running backs Frank Warren and Cornelius Walker lead the Tigers’ dominant running game with 805 and 622 yards respectively. On the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive end Christian Anthony leads the team with 6 sacks, 5 interceptions and is second on the team with 67 total tackles.

Richardson has taken note of Anthony’s impressive play.

“You look at Grambling’s football team, I think it’s going to be a hard, physical type of football game,” Richardson said. “They have one player on the defensive side that can control the game. I think Christian (Anthony) is probably one of the most gifted athletes I have seen since I’ve been in the conference. Here’s an individual that can rush the passer, knock the pass down, pick the ball up and run for a touchdown. That’s an oddity.”

“I’m looking forward to (the game) and I think our players are excited about having this opportunity, especially to come down to New Orleans for Thanksgiving.”

Given the history of the many exciting Bayou Classics in the past, it’s probably safe to say the 2009 edition won’t disappoint.