Jaguars take victory over Grambling, but share positive effects of 'Classic'

(left -right) Southern University Head Football Coach Pete Richardson and SU System President Ralph Slaughter congratulate Southern University senior defensive end Vincent Lands and former SU football player Isiah “Butch” Robertson during the State Farm Bayou Classic Coaches’ Luncheon, presented by the United States Marine Corps. Lands was recognized with the Excellence in Leadership Award by the United States Marine Corps and Robertson, a 1971 graduate, was honored for his outstanding career as a professional football player by the State Farm Bayou Classic. The Coaches’ Luncheon was one of the events preceding the 34th State Farm Bayou Classic where the Southern University Jaguars defeated the Grambling State University Tigers 22-13 in the Louisiana Superdome.

The 34th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic ended with the Southern University Jaguars holding a crystal trophy and the ticket to a year of bragging rights, but the event reflects a "win-win situation" for state and local economy, the City of New Orleans and both legendary HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) schools.

The Jaguars defeated the Grambling State University Tigers 22-13 in the November 24 game that infused the New Orleans tourism based with more than 200,000 visitors who flocked not only to the game, but to the social and entertainment events in which the Bayou Classic has become famous.

This year's Classic marks the second year the game has returned to the Superdome after the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but it was the first year the historic event has been without Eddie Robinson, legendary Grambling football coach and a founder of the Bayou Classic. Robinson was honored with a moment of silence prior to the start of the game and was the focus of a 30-minutes NBC Sports film "Every Man a Tiger: The Eddie Robinson Story" which premiered before the nationally-televised football game.

The State Farm Bayou Classic activities included the State Farm Bayou Classic® Fan Festival, the Super Job Fair, the State Farm Bayou Classic® College Fair and the McDonald's Battle of the Bands & Greek Step Show.

For more information and future updates, please visit the State Farm Bayou Classic website.