Southern University pummeled Jackson State University 45-7 on Oct. 16 in the third annual Big Easy Classic at the Louisiana Superdome.

The year 2002 was the last time the Southern Jaguars and the Jackson State Tigers met each other, with the Tigers coming on top 13-10.

Jaguar quarterback Thomas Ricks scored 10 seconds into the game with an 80-yard pass.
According to USA Today, Ricks completed five of eight passes for 138 yards in the first quarter alone.

"We had to come out fighting," said Ricks to a Times Picayune reporter.

Thomas Ricks earned SWAC Conference offensive player of the week honors for the second consecutive week.

Southern entered the game as on of the worst defensive teams in the conference, allowing 385 yards per game according to ESPN.com. Southern’s defense played tough against the Tigers allowing 199 yards through the air and only 1 yard on the ground on 21 attempts.

Jackson State allowed 119 rushing yards and 387 yards through the air.

The Tigers would eventually score their sole touchdown on a 43-yard pass with one minute left in the game.

With a win over Jackson State, Southern is tied with Arkansas Pine-Bluff for first place in the SWAC’s Western Division.