History has been made, but for all the wrong reasons.
This season marks the worst record for Grambling’s football team that dates back at least 1941. In multiple seasons (1941, 1996, 1997, 2006) the G-Men only collected three victories, the single victory came against The University of Virginia at Lynchburg for Grambling’s homecoming this season. This record is by far the worst that anyone has witnessed.
By only defeating UVL, a non-conference opponent, the Tigers are winless in the SWAC for the first time since entering in 1958.
Grambling’s (1-10, 0-9 SWAC) season came to an end with a 38-33 defeat to in-state rivals, Southern University Jaguars (4-7, 3-6 SWAC) in New Orleans at the Bayou Classic. Grambling still leads the series 20-19.
The 2012 football season has been strenuous for both the defending league champs and the Jaguars as they entered the game with the worst combined record in the event’s 39-year history.
Doug Williams, head coach of the G-Men, faced extreme backlash because his depth chart, failure to win tight games and inabilities to fill voids in the roster while unhappy fans shouted their grievances often. Southern fired head coach Stump Mitchell after dropping the first two games of the season. He was replaced by, the defensive coach, Dawson Odoms as the interim. Odom’s status for next year’s position is still under review.
The G-Men fought hard until the last play but fell short in the final seconds of play in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Tigers entered the fourth quarter down 20-28. Southern added 10 points before the Tigers began their final chance for a comeback. The G-Men cut into the deficit with two touchdowns, one from Jeremy Hernandez and Cedric Skinner.
Down by only five points, the Tigers reached Southern’s 41-yard line with seconds remaining and a touchdown, the only option for a victory. Grambling’s backup quarterback, Frank Rivers was sacked and fumbled to end the Tiger’s chances for their fifth consecutive victory over the Jaguars.
Rivers replaced D.J. Williams for the final drive; D.J. was benched because of muscle cramps.
Against many of the naysayers’ detestation, D.J. Williams statistically performed his best this season with 284 passing yards, three touchdowns and only one interception.
With only 13 seniors on this season’s roster, Grambling will hope to return majority of their underclassmen on their current roster. The Tigers hope to return back to the days where they win SWAC championships and beat Southern.