Grambling has eyes on Houston, SWAC title

2016 BAYOU CLASSIC  REMAINS A WINNER WITH ATTENDANCE AT 67,845, the largest crowd for the annual classic since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and forced the move of the game to Houston.

NEW ORLEANS — Minutes after claiming a decisive victory on the Superdome turf, a few Grambling players held up the shiny Bayou Classic trophy and hoisted it in the air while coach Broderick Fobbs reached to the sky with the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division trophy.

The crowd erupted. Toward the front of the celebration, Grambling held the most important object — a sign indicating the Tigers were headed back to Houston for the 2016 SWAC championship.

Chants of "H-Town! H-Town! H-Town!'' filled the front of the stage. Ruston native Justin Miller danced to the beat of the repetitive words.

Grambling is coming for the title that Alcorn State hasn't relinquished in the past two years.

"Ever since they clinched their side, we said we need our remix," Grambling running back Martez Carter said following a 52-30 win over Southern on Saturday. "We sung this song before. We're just going to remix it a little bit and we're going to have a different ending to it."

Talk of returning to Houston is nothing new around the program. Ever since a 49-21 loss to Alcorn State in the 2015 title game, Grambling (9-1, 9-0) has vowed to finish business this time.

At just 5-5 on the year, Alcorn State, the two-time defending league champions, wrapped up the East division a few weeks ago to secure its spot in Houston.



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