Grambling State-Southern football: Memorable moments, all-time history of the Bayou Classic

​​It's been more than 85 years since Grambling State and Southern first battled on the gridiron. The Grambling State and Southern football rivalry, known as the "Bayou Classic," is one of the biggest events in HBCU football. The Tigers and Jaguars have a combined 45 SWAC Championships, seven NFL Hall of Famers and many years of history.

Southern first met Grambling State in 1932 on Armistice Day, but the Bayou Classic didn't commence until 42 years later.

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Since 1974, the Tigers and Jaguars have met annually on Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana* for the Bayou Classic. The Bayou Classic is more than just a game; it encompasses an entire weekend, with fans from both schools traveling in droves to support their schools. The battle of the bands is an event of its own with Southern's band, The Human Jukebox, taking on Grambling State's Tiger Marching Band, filling the stadium with music.

*In 2005, the Bayou Classic was in Houston, Texas after Hurricane Katrina and in Apr. 2021 the game was in Shreveport, Louisiana after the COVID-19 pandemic.

When Grambling State and Southern met in 2023, it marked the Bayou Classic's 50th all-time meeting. Southern defeated Grambling State 27-22 . The win keeps the Jaguars the all-time Bayou Classic series lead 26-24.

However, there's more to this rivalry than wins and losses, with immense history throughout the series. Here are just a few notable historical events that have happened since the Bayou Classic's inception:

Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth's MLB home run record.

Muhammad Ali knocks out Joe Fraizer in the duo's third and final fight in the Thrilla in Manilla

Oprah Winfrey launches the nationally-syndicated Oprah Winfrey Show.

The Million Man March happens in Washington, D.C.

Here are five moments chronicling Grambling State and Southern's illustrious pasts.

The inaugural Bayou Classic kicked off in 1974 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. In front of 76,753 fans, Southern faced future Grambling State legend Doug Williams, a freshman quarterback.

In his first Bayou Classic, Williams threw three interceptions. Nonetheless, the Tigers handled the Jaguars 21-0 to win the first edition of the classic.

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The Jaguars got off to a rough start in the Bayou Classic series, losing the first five games. However, senior nose tackle Kenny "The Body Snatcher" Times would not be denied in his final attempt to win a rivalry game.

In a day that included a passionate halftime speech, Times had 10 tackles and two sacks, limiting Grambling State's offense to just seven points. Southern would win 14-7 to land its first win in the Bayou Classic. Times would be named MVP.

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Grambling State and Southern both entered 2016's Bayou Classic with 8-0 SWAC records, marking the first time both teams entered the rivalry undefeated in conference play. Moreover, Grambling State entered ranked 14th in the FCS Coaches Poll.

While the winner of the Bayou Classic would still have to play in the SWAC Championship, both the Tigers and Jaguars beat the SWAC East winner, Alcorn State. In the eyes of many, the Bayou Classic winner would be the SWAC champion.

Each team entered the Bayou Classic rolling. On one hand, Grambling State displayed its prominence against an FBS opponent, holding an 18-point lead on Arizona before losing its quarterback in what became a 31-21 loss. On the other hand, Southern featured Lenard Tillery, the SWAC's all-time leading rusher, and his 1,431 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. The Bayou Classic was set up to be a clash of the titans.

On the field, it was a Tigerfest as Grambling State routed Southern 52-30. The Tigers finished the SWAC regular season in dominant fashion, with just one team staying within 20 points.

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On the field, the Bayou Classic allowed two struggling teams — Southern entered 4-6 while Grambling entered 3-7 — to have a chance to end the season on a high note.

The star of the 2021 Bayou Classic was none other than kicker Garret Urban who made five field goals on the day. Named the MVP, Urban's fifth field goal with two seconds to play gave Grambling State the 29-26 win.

All-time series history

DateWinnerScoreLocationNov. 25, 2023Southern 27-22 New OrleansNov. 26, 2022Southern34-17New OrleansNov. 27, 2021Grambling State29–26New OrleansApr. 17, 2021Southern49–7Shreveport, LANov. 30, 2019Southern30–28New OrleansNov. 24, 2018Southern38–28New OrleansNov. 25, 2017Grambling State30–21New OrleansNov. 26, 2016Grambling State52–30New OrleansNov. 28, 2015Grambling State34–23New OrleansNov. 29, 2014Southern52–45New OrleansNov. 30, 2013Southern40–17New OrleansNov. 24, 2012Southern38–33New OrleansNov. 26, 2011Grambling State36–12New OrleansNov. 27, 2010Grambling State38–17New OrleansNov. 28, 2009Grambling State31–13New OrleansNov. 29, 2008Grambling State29–14New OrleansNov. 24, 2007Southern22–13New OrleansNov. 25, 2006Southern21–17New OrleansNov. 26, 2005Grambling State50–35HoustonNov. 27, 2004Grambling State24–13New OrleansNov. 29, 2003Southern44–41New OrleansNov. 30, 2002Southern48–24New OrleansNov. 24, 2001Grambling State30–20New OrleansNov. 25, 2000Southern33–29New OrleansNov. 27, 1999Southern37–31New OrleansNov. 28, 1998Southern26–14New OrleansNov. 29, 1997Southern30–7New OrleansNov. 30, 1996Southern17–12New OrleansNov. 25, 1995Southern30–14New OrleansNov. 26, 1994Southern34–7New OrleansNov. 27, 1993Southern31–13New OrleansNov. 28, 1992Grambling State30–27New OrleansNov. 30, 1991Southern31–30New OrleansNov. 24, 1990Grambling State25–13New OrleansNov. 18, 1989Grambling State44–30New OrleansNov. 26, 1988Southern10–3New OrleansNov. 28, 1987Southern27–21New OrleansNov. 29, 1986Grambling State30–3New OrleansNov. 23, 1985Grambling State29–12New OrleansNov. 24, 1984Grambling State31–29New OrleansNov. 26, 1983Grambling State24–10New OrleansNov. 27, 1982Southern22–17New OrleansNov. 21, 1981Southern50–20New OrleansNov. 29, 1980Grambling State43–16New OrleansDec. 1, 1979Southern14–7New OrleansNov. 25, 1978Grambling State28–15New OrleansNov. 26, 1977Grambling State55–20New OrleansNov. 27, 1976Grambling State10–2New OrleansNov. 29, 1975Grambling State33–17New OrleansNov. 23, 1974Grambling State21–0New Orleans