Caesars Superdome Hosts a Riveting Battle as Southern Secures a
27-22 Victory, Concluding the Season with a Strong 6-5 Record
Football fans were treated to an exhilarating display of skill and determination in a highly anticipated annual showdown between Louisiana's two prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Southern University and Grambling State University. The clash unfolded at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, within the iconic Caesars Superdome, and the Southern Jaguars emerged triumphant with a hard-fought 27-22 win over the Grambling Tigers.
Grambling set the tone early, with quarterback Myles Crawley orchestrating a one-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 1:17 left in the first
quarter. However, Southern quickly responded as quarterback Noah Bodden connected with wide receiver Darren Morris for an eight-yard touchdown, leveling the score at 7-7 with 12:16 remaining in the second quarter.
The Jaguars seized control in the second quarter, taking their first lead of the game at 14-7 with 2:01 on the clock, courtesy of running back Kendric Rhymes' two-yard rushing touchdown. Southern's special teams further elevated the spectacle,
extending the lead to 21-7 with a remarkable touchdown return after blocking a field goal attempt just 32 seconds before halftime.
Rhymes continued to shine in the third quarter, securing his second rushing touchdown and expanding Southern's lead to 27-7. However, Grambling's defense fought back, breaking Southern's scoring streak with a pick-six, narrowing the gap to 27-14 with 8:26 remaining in the third quarter. The Tigers further closed in on the lead, securing a safety after Southern punter Robens Beauplan's knee hit the endzone during a snap attempt, bringing the score to 27-16.
Grambling's running back, Floyd Chalk IV, managed a three-yard rushing touchdown in a thrilling climax, tightening the score to 27-22 with 7:02 left in the game. Despite the late-game surge from the Tigers, Southern held on to secure the win, concluding the season with a commendable 6-5 record.