On Saturday, the Southern University Jaguar football team (SU) took on the Tigers of Grambling State (GSU) at the 43rd annual Bayou Classic, held in New Orleans, Louisiana for what was hyped to be a very intense contest between two of SWAC’s undefeated teams.
Both teams came into the game with an 8-0-conference record in hopes of leaving New Orleans with a win and punching their tickets to Houston where Alcorn State University (ASU) awaits the winner’s arrival. However, for SU, those tickets turned into a sad bus ride home as the Jags fell short to the Tigers by a score of 52-30.
“We were behind, trying to get some points on the board,” said Odums. “Field goals won’t beat the good football team we played tonight. You’ve got to get touchdowns.”
In the first quarter, the Jags struck quickly with a touchdown pass from junior quarterback, Austin Howard to SU’s all-time reception and receiving leader, senior wide receiver Willie Quinn. However, GSU wasted no time striking back with two straight touchdowns of their own; one from their leading rusher, junior running back Martez Carter and a passing touchdown on a trick play from senior wide receiver Chad Williams to senior wide receiver Verlan Hunter. SU had a chance to take the lead and momentum on their 2nd drive but during 2nd and goal, Howard lost the ball on an attempted effort to give the Jags the go ahead touchdown while stretching for the goal line.
“That was huge,” said GSU head football coach Broderick Fobbs. “We always talk about momentum, and he who has the momentum normally wins the game.”
The pace slowed down in the second quarter as SU’s defense held the Tigers to only a field goal. However for the Jags offense, SWAC’s all-time leader rusher senior running back Lenard Tillery rallied the troops with a 85-yard touchdown to bring them within four for a one possession game heading into halftime (17-13). Tillery finished the game with 1 touchdown and 269 all-purpose yards with 234 of those on the ground and 35 receiving. He finished the season with a career best career best of 1665 rushing yards. In the loss, Tillery commented on the flow of the game and how the team as whole didn’t take advantage of it.
“You can have the momentum on second, but all it takes is one play to lose that momentum, and we didn’t ride the momentum like we should have,” said Tillery.
Unfortunately, GSU’s offense and defense kicked into high gear for the second half as they steamrolled over the Jags by outscoring them 35-17.
The duo of GSU’s junior quarterback Devante Kincade and Carter helped that happen with a combined 174 rushing total. Carter put the game out of reach with a late fourth quarter touchdown on a kick return from 88 yards out. However, Kincade became the big reason for the SU’s downfall. Although SU’s defense was able to get to Kincade for three sacks, the threat of him using his feet to extend plays and taking off for big chunks of yardage in the Tigers rushing attack appeared to freeze their linebackers long enough to find open wide receivers and allow GSU’s lineman advance to second level to block for Carter and other running backs.
“Those guys were trigger-happy,” said Carter. “They was trying to fill those lanes. My O-line did a good job of getting to that second level and making it easy for me to make guys miss.”
With the loss, Jags finish the season at 8-3 and 8-1 in conference. As for GSU (9-1, 9-0 SWAC), they move on to the SWAC championship to face the Braves of Alcorn State University. The showdown will take place in Houston, Texas on Saturday, December 3, at 3 p.m.
Senior runing back Lenard Tillery blazes pass the Grambling secondary for an 85 yard rushing Jaguar Touchdown. TIllery finished with 234 rushing yards.
