Bayou Classic 2014: Score and Twitter Reaction to Grambling vs. Southern

 Southern (9-3) scored its third consecutive Bayou Classic victory over Grambling State (7-5) with a wild 52-45 triumph on Saturday. The game featured nearly 1,000 yards of total offense.

The rivalry is one of the most hotly contested in the country highlighted by the Battle of the Bands that takes place at halftime of the annual clash. This year's game took on an even greater meaning with the winner earning a spot in the SWAC Championship Game as winners of the West Division.

Here's a look at how the latest battle played out from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans:

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Total
Tigers	0	17	14	14	45
Jaguars	14	17	14	7	52

Despite the importance of the game, Southern head coach Dawson Odums tried to take some pressure off of his players by treating it as a normal week. He explained his philosophy to Chris Hagan of WAFB.

"[It's] business as usual," Odums said. "We don't get too tight. Our guys are going to be relaxed. We're going to have fun. This is what it's supposed to be."

The Jaguars seemed to heed that advice. They came out as the far more effect team on both side of the ball in the first quarter.

They proceeded to open the scoring about midway through the opening period. The drive went nine plays for 80 yards in under four minutes. It concluded with a terrific touch pass from Austin Howard to the dynamic Willie Quinn from 13 yards out for the touchdown.

HBCU Gameday provided a Vine of the score:

After a stop, Southern stretched the lead to 14 a couple minutes later. This time it was Howard finding Mike Jones for a 45-yard touchdown connection.

Grambling State finally came to life in the second quarter. It rattled off 10 points in just over a minute to get back in the game.

Cedric Skinner found the end zone from two yards out. Then the Tigers recovered a fumble deep in opposing territory on the ensuing kickoff. Although they couldn't turn it into another TD, Marc Orozco was true on a 39-yard field goal to make it 14-10.

Trenise Ferreira of the Pac-12 Networks noted the quick turnaround:

The Grambling defense failed to contain the big plays, though. On three straight drives Southern was able to push the ball downfield far too easily.

In turn, the Jaguars went on a 17-0 spurt of their own to open the lead back up. Lenard Tillery found pay dirt from a couple yards out, Greg Pittman made a short field goal and then Jones caught his second long touchdown of the half to complete the surge.

Box To Row Media pointed out the strong play of Howard for the Jags:

Grambling did respond right before halftime. Johnathan Williams led an efficient drive that seen him complete six of seven passes as the Tigers went 75 yards in 1:11 to get back within 14. Verlon Hunter made the TD grab with eight seconds left in the half.

GSU Sports Info passed along the halftime leaders:

A scoring spree opened the second half.

Southern struck first with a 52-yard run by Tillery. Once he got through the first wave of defenders he was off to the races. It was another example of the Grambling defense being unable to contain those game-changing plays.

The Tigers struck right back. On the ensuing kickoff, Ka'Jandre Domino showed some nice acceleration as he got to the corner and then seemed to find another gear. He was on cruise control from there for the 99-yard return touchdown.

The Gramblinite noted the special teams contribution:

It would have been a perfect time for the Grambling defense to get a stop to help turn the tide. That didn't happen. Southern drove right back down again with Howard and Jones linking up again, this time on a 30-yard play to get into the red zone.

Deonte Shorts eventually powered in from four yards out. Less than five minutes were gone from the third quarter and 21 more points were already on the scoreboard. The Southern Digest recapped the score after the dust settled:

The Tigers cut the lead back to 14 before the end of the third on a pass from Williams to Brandon Byrdsong. Every scoring drive in the quarter went at least 72 yards and none of them last longer than three minutes.

Grambling finally got a string of defensive stops. It paid off as a Nicholas Peoples interception set the Tigers up deep in Jaguars territory. Three plays later the tandem of Williams and Hunter hooked up for the second time to get them back within seven.

What happened next perhaps should have been expected. Another big play for Southern as Jaleel Richardson took the kickoff 79 yards the other way to immediately erase the progress made by Grambling.

That score allowed the game to set a new mark in the rivalry, as pointed out by Chris Lewis of Bronco Sports:

The Tigers responded in kind. A mere 20 seconds later a busted coverage by Southern allowed Chester Rogers to break free for one of the easiest 76-yard touchdowns you'll ever see.

Grambling did a quick onside kick despite there being plenty of time remaining and it worked. It failed to capitalize on the ensuring possession, though.

Southern drove down with a chance to put the game on ice. Alas, the field goal try was blocked giving Grambling another opportunity.

The Tigers drove all the way down to the one-yard line and went for the quarterback sneak on the final play. Southern stood tall to secure the victory. The SWAC noted the result:

"

Southern wins the @BayouClassic74 on a goal line stance. Tops Grambling 52-45. Southern earns birth to the 2014 SWAC Football Championship

— The SWAC (@theswac) November 29, 2014"

Grambling finishes the regular season at 7-5, including a 7-2 mark in conference play. Although the Tigers weren't able to secure the division crown with a win on Saturday, it still marked a major bounce-back campaign after going 1-10 in 2013.

As for Southern, it heads to the SWAC Championship Game to face off with Alcorn State. The Jaguars will be looking for their second straight conference title after edging Jackson State last year. They will need to step up on the defensive side to make that happen.