Southern runs away from GSU 49-7 at Bayou Classic held in Shreveport
Photo by Tay Tapes
Grambling State quarterback Elijah Walker scrambles for a big gainer against Southern University Saturday at Independence Stadium in Shreveport during the Bayou Classic.
SHREVEPORT — It wasn’t exactly the outcome the Grambling Tigers were hoping for when they renewed their rivalry with Southern University Saturday here at Independence Stadium in the Bayou Classic.
The rare spring matchup was all Jaguars in a 49-7 defeat for GSU in Southwestern Athletic Conference action.
“Hats off to Southern University, they did an awesome job,” said GSU head coach Broderick Fobbs. “It is what it is, but we’re not going to hang our heads at Grambling. There were a lot of things that happened to us that not too many know about, and at the end of the day, I’m proud of my kids for fighting the way they fought in the midst of everything that they’ve had to deal with behind closed doors.”
The G-Men (0-4 overall, 0-4 SWAC) allowed 14 points in each of the first three quarters, but were able to respond early in the second half when quarterback Elijah Walker found redshirt senior Raylon Richardson on a 13-yard strike with a perfect back-shoulder pass in the back of the end zone on a sustained, seven play 75-yard drive in the third quarter.
Walker also connect ed with Richardson on a 32-yard pass before redshirt freshman running back CJ Russell knifed through the Jags defense for a 20-yard run to set up the touchdown pass on the next play for Grambling.
Walker completed 9-of-14 passes for 65 yards and one passing touchdown to go along with 56 yards rushing but lost a total of 39 yards in sacks in his first Bayou Classic.
“After the game I told my team that I’m proud of them,” said Fobbs. “It sounds crazy, but I’m proud of them. It is very difficult to come to work every day and deal with what our kids have had to deal with, and some of the things that have been placed in front of them, and the mere fact that they were able to overcome all of that, and still have a positive attitude and still work hard and still come out here and compete the best that they possibly could, and to me that’s a win. Wins are not always on the scoreboard.”
