Jags vie for bragging rights

 
Every year Southern and Grambling take center stage after Thanksgiving for the Bayou Classic game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Unfortunately, lately it is the Tigers who have been winning the battles.
Even though GSU is gunning for its fifth-straight victory on the field, this year both teams are vying for bragging rights.
Thirty-nine years after Grambling shutout Southern 21-0 in New Orleans, the rivalry still lives.
The last time Southern and Grambling each entered the Classic with a loss was in 2010.
SU’s 291 yards of total offense and two touchdowns weren’t enough to rally the Jaguars to a win as they fell to the Tigers, 38-17.
Another backyard clash between the schools was the 2011 version, a 36-12 rout. Grambling (1-9, 0-8) went on to win its sixth conference title by defeating Alabama A&M, while Southern posted a 4-7 record.
When Southern (3-7, 2-6) announced Dawson Odums as interim coach in September, the 2012 version of the Classic became interesting.
Odums and the Jaguars exposed some weaknesses against Jackson State and Florida A&M by putting up 595 yards of total offense, which include five touchdown tosses by quarterback Dray Joseph, whom the Southwestern Athletic Conference named Offensive Player of the Week after throwing 349 yards and three touchdown passes against Alabama State.
“He’s pushed us hard and made us step up our game of play,” defensive back Virgil Williams said, commending Odums on a job well done. “I’ll definitely love to keep playing for him. He’s a guy who stands for discipline.”
Odums discussed his future at Southern, this week and the uncertainty of returning next season.
“I’m going to be returning to the sidelines whether its here or not that’s to be known,” Odums said. “I can’t control that. We want to end the year with a win and it happens to be against Grambling.”
Grambling allowed 208 passing yards and 526 yards of total offense against Arkansas Pine-Bluff, who clinched the West Division with a 24-17 win over the Tigers.
On the other side, Joseph leads the SWAC in passing average (222.7), and touchdown passes with 20.
Odums said the Jaguars plan to get the ball into its playmakers’ hands allowing them to solidify the win.
SU has continued a losing streak since its 34-7 victory over Texas Southern homecoming night.
 ”We have to do the necessary things to get our playmakers the ball,” Odums said.
Despite the Tigers’ struggles on either side of the ball, wide receiver Jeremy Hernandez has blossomed into a threat on the outside.
He’s been one of the few bright spots on a Grambling offense that ranks seventh in total yards and eighth in scoring offense.
“They definitely have real athletic players. Everyone goes through their good and bad years. We’re not taking them lightly. Research shows the last couple of years they have been the winners of the Bayou Classic,” Williams said.