NEW ORLEANS — In an exciting matchup at the 51st Bayou Classic, Kendric Rhymes showcased his talent with a remarkable performance, rushing for 110 yards on just 12 carries. His impressive 45-yard touchdown run extended Southern University’s lead to two possessions, sealing the victory at 24-14 against Grambling with only 3:31 left in the game.

Coach Terrence Graves made history by becoming the first coach to win the Bayou Classic with both Southern and Grambling, adding to Southern’s dominance with six victories in their last seven clashes against their rivals.

With this win, Southern University improved their season record to 8-4, and a strong conference performance of 7-1 puts them in a position to compete for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship next week against Jackson State. This matchup will be a chance for redemption following their earlier loss to Jackson State 33-15 on September 14.

Quarterback Jalen Woods had a productive outing, completing 9 of 17 passes for 176 yards. He threw one touchdown and was intercepted once during his second career start. His sole touchdown pass was a notable 41-yard connection with Chandler Whitfield in the third quarter, showcasing his capabilities under pressure.

Grambling State, finishing the season at 5-7 with a 2-6 conference tally, managed to score through Keilon Elder, who tallied the only offensive touchdown for the Tigers. Additionally, they made a notable play with a 94-yard kickoff return by Tylon Williams in the second quarter, narrowing Southern’s lead to 10-7.

This thrilling matchup not only highlighted the competitive spirit between the two teams but also set the stage for what promises to be an intense upcoming championship game for Southern University.