Grambling appears to have the sport gained, solely to fail to shut the deal in opposition to Southern — even in one in every of Jaguars’ worst seasons
The 52nd annual Bayou Traditional delivered the drama, power, and cultural fireworks that make it one of the anticipated rivalries in HBCU soccer. This yr, Southern owned the complete expertise — the Battle of the Bands and the fourth quarter of what grew to become a 28-27 victory that’s destined to be lengthy remembered in Louisiana.
Getting into the sport, Southern struggled with a 1-10 file, whereas Grambling was a assured 7-4. Overconfident, because it turned out. The Tigers struck first, closing the opening quarter forward 7-0. Early within the second quarter, they capitalized on an interception that rapidly was a landing, stretching the lead. Southern answered halfway by means of the quarter with a landing of its personal, however Grambling instantly struck again — solely to have that landing recalled as a result of an offensive move interference penalty that pushed the Tigers again 15 yards.
Undeterred, Grambling secured a discipline aim to increase its lead. With lower than 30 seconds remaining, Southern intercepted the ball and hustled into field-goal vary. Their 48-yard try to shut the half fell brief, ending the second quarter with Grambling firmly forward 17-7.
Halftime showdown: Southern vs. Grambling
The halftime present, offered by Allstate, opened with Southern College and its “typically imitated, however by no means duplicated” Human Jukebox band. Juvie the Nice hit the sector draped in SU satisfaction from head to toe, full with blue-tinted sun shades and an SU letterman jacket. Juvenile hyped the gang immediately and delivered his iconic “Again That Thang Up” earlier than his efficiency was minimize brief to make method for the world-famed Grambling State College Tiger Marching Band. It turned out to be an not possible act to comply with, however Grambling did the perfect it might.
From the second Grambling stepped onto the sector, the power shifted from the excellence displayed at first. The “baddest band within the land” rolled out classics like Luther Vandross’ “Having a Celebration,” spelled out “#GramFam” throughout the sector with precision, and despatched waves by means of the Superdome with their rendition of “Love” by Keyshia Cole.
Then got here their star second. Glorilla emerged, decked out in a Michael Jackson-inspired outfit, and the dome erupted. She tore by means of her set, turned up with the Tigers, and closed with one in every of her largest hits, “Let Her Cook dinner.” It was a efficiency worthy of the comfort prize, however effort ought to be applauded, even when it falls brief — and that, because it turned out, was a nasty omen for Grambling.
Third-quarter touchdowns
The third quarter opened with Grambling kicking off, however its momentum stalled as they didn’t safe a primary down and rapidly gave Southern the ball. The Jaguars took benefit of the chance and punched in a landing, tightening the hole and stirring new hope on their sideline. Grambling tried vainly to maintain the tide from turning. The Tigers regrouped, marched down the sector with function, and responded with a landing of their very own, silencing Southern’s spark and reestablishing management. By the top of the third quarter, Grambling comfortably maintained a 24-14 lead, the sport firmly in its palms. Firmly and, it turned out, briefly.
The Tigers’ 10-point lead seemed daunting. However appears will be deceiving.
The fourth quarter occurred — as a result of no person will get a prize for profitable the primary three. And simply as Southern’s “Human Jukebox” rocked the home within the Battle of the Bands, so did the Jaguars within the fourth quarter. No one gave the Jaguars an opportunity, however they gained their second recreation of the season — the sport that counts most in Baton Rouge — by outscoring the shellshocked Tigers 14-3 within the remaining interval.
One good Southern quarter outweighed three good ones by Grambling. It was virtually unhappy to see, the Tigers lowered to tears in entrance of a nationwide viewers.
Higher luck subsequent time, Grambling.
