Bayou Classic 2015: Score and Twitter Reaction to Grambling vs. Southern

The Grambling State Tigers overcame a hefty first-half deficit and scored 28 unanswered points to defeat the Southern Jaguars 34-23 in the 2015 Bayou Classic at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Grambling State is headed to the Southwestern Athletic Conference title game undefeated in conference play and will take on the reigning champion Alcorn State Braves.

Southern jumped out to a 20-3 lead with touchdowns on its first three drives from receiver Willie Quinn, quarterback Austin Howard and star running back Lenard Tillery.

But after a slow start, the Tigers bounced back, scoring 28 unanswered and cruising to victory.

Tigers quarterback Johnathan Williams led the way as the game's MVP. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, spreading the ball to seven different receivers.

KSLA News 12 Sports shared Williams’ most flashy highlight:

Southern was marred by four turnovers—including an interception, two fumbles and a turnover on downs—that directly led to seven Tigers points.

Grambling State lost last year’s meeting by a half-yard when time expired with the Tigers trailing 52-45 at the goal line. Williams was stopped on a last-ditch effort with the SWAC West Division title on the line.

Grambling State coach Broderick Fobbs told the Associated Press’ Darrell Williams earlier this week that the gut-wrenching loss lurked on the Tigers’ minds all year.

The halftime show by the school bands is usually on par with the actual football in this rivalry, and Saturday was another great showing.

The Grambling State band formed a rendering of the No. 33 to honor Southern’s Devon Gales, who suffered a gruesome neck injury against Georgia earlier this season. Sportswriter Mike Gegenheimer tweeted a picture of the honorary formation:

Gales tweeted that he was cheering on the Jaguars from his hospital bed as he continues to recover:

The 2015 story of this great rivalry was one of redemption. Grambling State successfully fueled its resolve after last year’s defeat and tied the overall series at 31 wins apiece, also evening the series at 21-21 since it officially became the Bayou Classic.

The Tigers were already headed to the SWAC Championship Game, but exacting revenge for last year’s heartbreak makes it sweeter.

Postgame Reaction

Fobbs, in his second year, earned his first win in the Bayou Classic and probably appreciated the win more than anyone, per WAFB 9 Sports:

Grambling State celebrated in style following the win, as the school’s athletic department showed:

The victory marked the Tigers’ first in the rivalry since 2011, steering the rivalry back to balance.