The XXXI StateFarm Bayou Classic game, which pits Southern University against Grambling StateUniversity, will be the biggest game in the Southwestern Athletic Conferencefor the Jaguars this season.
The game is theJaguars’ final regular season match up that will decide the team’s post-seasonfate.
Kickoff for theState Farm Bayou Classic in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans is set for 1p.m.
This can be anopportunity to return to the championship game in Birmingham, Ala., and repeatas SWAC champions.
“It’s a hugegame for us if we’re going to reach our goals,” said Southern head coach PeteRichardson. “This is a must winand we have to be able to win this in order to get to the championship game.”
Southern (8-2overall, 6-0 SWAC) the lone undefeated team in the SWAC standings has severalhighly qualified players to get the job done and they realize the importance ofthe game.
The Jaguars areled by triple threat quarterback Thomas Ricks, who can not only throw the ballwith precision, but can pile on the rushing yards and play wide receiver whenneeded.
Ricks has thrownfor 2,166 yards and 20 touchdowns, rushed for a team high 545 yards and seventouchdowns and recorded one catch for a 55-yard touchdown in ten games.
As he stood cooland collected (his nature on the field all season) in his warm up gear outsideof A.W. Mumford Stadium on a breezy Monday evening right before practice, Ricksproclaimed that though its “do or die right now” the pre-Bayou Classic gamejitters are not a problem for him.
“We have to stayfocused, you throw the records out of the door because all you have to say is’Bayou Classic’ and everybody game steps up a bit,” Ricks said. “I’m not hoping that they (Grambling)fold. I hope they bring it, thenit would really show us how great of a team we have. I’m hoping that we get agood challenge before the championship game.”
Jags’ seniorrunning back Gerald Holmes evaluated Grambling as a team that has had someadversity with the loss of their All-American quarterback Bruce Eugene to aknee injury in the season opener. But Holmes believes the Tigers can still function and still have a shotat victory.
“They are a teamthat can not be taken lightly,” said Holmes, who rushed for over 100-yards ineach of the first three games before an opponent’s helmet grazed his legcausing a fracture. Holmes will get his first start since the South DakotaState game Sept. 25.
Grambling State(5-5, 2-4 SWAC) under the direction of first year head coach Melvin Spears hasnothing to lose in this game against the rival.
If the Tigerswin, they will hold bragging rights for an entire year around the nation anddeny Southern another chance at the championship game.
It’s only upfrom there.
The Tigers areranked third in total offense (375.7 yards per game) and sixth in total scoringdefense (28.2 points per game).
Last season the Jaguars narrowlydefeated Grambling 44-41 to earn their first trip to the SWAC championship gamesince the inaugural game in 1999.
