NEW ORLEANS — It was a dry, chilly day Saturday as Louisiana’s two biggest HBCUs met in the Superdome for the 50th Bayou Classic. Southern University would go on to beat Grambling State University for a second year in a row.
As always, Claiborne Avenue was lined with tailgates, where people celebrated longtime friends and cheered on their beloved schools.
The Bayou Classic began in 1974. Besides the game, one of the biggest draws is the Battle of the Bands between each school’s marching band the day before. Many other events fill out the rest of the weekend’s schedule, including a Thanksgiving parade, a flag football game, and a “fan festival” the morning of the game.
Many fans tailgate, either in tents or RV’s, just off of I-10 near the Superdome. For some, it is a family tradition. “We do this every year, for the last seventeen years,” said Lumas Rose at a large tailgate that included the Northshore and New Orleans chapters of the Free Riders motorcycle club. “They travel from Shreveport, from Florida, from all over,” added Kendria Spears.
A nearby tailgate was made up of Southern fans from Lafayette. “It’s getting away from home, you know, and just having fun,” said Lisa Gabriel. Her family combines its yearly Bayou Classic tailgate with a trip to City Park to see the Christmas lights.
Late in the afternoon, fans began trickling out of the Superdome. Southern had a lead over Grambling, and many fans told WWL-TV they assumed a win was coming. Then, with just minutes on the clock, Grambling came close to a touchdown several times. Each play, Southern managed to hold on to its victory, closing out the game 27-22.
Grambling fans were upset, though already looking toward next year. “It’s okay because I’m still a Gramb fan every day all day,” said Malia James. Southern fans, like Sincere Ferrand celebrated that the Jaguars stayed “on top.” “I’m here for Southern,” he said, “I wanted to see them win.”
Bayou Classic will host a “Celebrity After Party” at 10 p.m. at Generations Hall.
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