By Keisha J Kelley
April 17, 2021
With the temperatures standing around 57 degrees, The 47th Annual Bayou Classic took place in Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Southern Jaguars had an impressive 49-7 victory over the Grambling State Tigers in the annual matchup. The win extends Southern's winning streak to three games over the Tigers.
The Jaguars came into this contest 5-1, 4-1 in SWAC play. As the Jaguars offense started cooking, the ground game would be the ultimate finish for Southern as they scored six rushing touchdowns in the win over the Tigers.
Opening up with 12 plays and a 75 yd drive, Ladarius Skelton three yard TD run would give the Jaguars a 7-0 lead. Skelton got things started with a three-yard touchdown run to cap off a 12 play 75-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead. After the Jags forced a Grambling State three and out, the Jags went on to add another rushing touchdown with a touchdown run by Craig Nelson, his first of the season to make it 14-0 to end the first quarter.
John Lampley found a wide open Travis Tucker for a 25 yard touchdown catch to extend the Jags lead to 21-0 early in the second quarter. The ground game would continue for Southern as Jarrod Sims ripped off a 37-yard run to setup a short yard touchdown for himself to make it 28-0 late in the first half.
As the third quarter rolled in, Skelton did not worry about letting up and once again found the end zone again for his second rushing touchdown of the game to finish off a six play 69-yard drive to make it 35-0 early in the third quarter.
With only one TD in the game, the Tigers struck in the third quarter when Elijah Walker found his target Raylon Richardson to make the score 35-7. Southern had the steam rolling and scored yet another touchdown as Auburn transfer Marquis McClain scored on a five yard reverse to make it 42-7. To seal the deal, QB Bubba McDaniel, with a five yard td run to move the final score to 49-7.
Southern’s win in the 47th annual Bayou Classic would be the third biggest margin of victory over Grambling State and largest since 1981.