NEW ORLEANS -- This was one for the defenses.Grambling’s Brandon Varner stripped the ball away from Southern quarterback Austin Howard, then recovered the late fumble to provide the key play in the Tigers' 30-21 win over the Jaguars in the 44th annual Bayou Classic at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The turnover set up Marc Orozco’s game-clinching 36-yard field goal and spoiled a spirited second-half effort by Southern’s defense.
Martez Carter led the Tigers on the ground with 106 yards and a touchdown on 14 rushes, including the 11-yard touchdown run that gave Grambling the lead for good with 3:22 left. Grambling quarterback Devante Kincaid was 14 of 30 for 171 yards and a score.
Grambling (10-1, 7-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) moves on to play Alcorn State next week in the SWAC championship game.
“I saw it all week. I had faith,” Varner said of his fumble recovery, which came with 2:44 remaining.
It was Grambling’s 10th straight win this season, third consecutive win in the series, and 25th consecutive win against a SWAC opponent. The Tigers have not lost a conference game since the 2014 Bayou Classic.
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