**Grambling State and Langston Reignite Historic Rivalry in 2025 Shreveport Kickoff Classic**
*Tigers and Lions Clash in Season Opener with National Implications*
**Shreveport, LA**
Grambling State University’s football program is no stranger to the spotlight, and its 2025 season opener cements that legacy. The Tigers will face Langston University in the Shreveport Kickoff Classic on August 30, marking their first meeting since 2008. This game, set under the lights at Independence Stadium, isn’t just about Week 1 bragging rights—it’s a revival of a regional rivalry that dates back to 1977, when these two programs first collided in a battle of Black college football titans.
For Grambling, this matchup continues a tradition of high-profile neutral-site games that define their brand. From the Bayou Classic to the State Fair Classic, the Tigers have long understood the cultural and competitive value of these events. “Neutral-site games are our signature,” said a Grambling athletics official familiar with scheduling strategy. “They let us showcase HBCU football’s pageantry while testing our team in playoff-like environments.” Langston, an NAIA powerhouse from the Sooner Athletic Conference, presents a unique challenge. The Lions’ last trip to Shreveport in 2008 ended in a 13-2 Grambling victory, but current Lions coach Quinton Morgan has transformed the program into a NAIA title contender, fresh off back-to-back conference championships.
The scheduling of this game speaks volumes about HBCU football’s evolving landscape. While FCS programs like Grambling increasingly face FBS opponents for financial guarantees, Athletic Director Trayvean Scott prioritized a different approach. “We wanted a game that honors our roots while giving fans a must-see event,” Scott said. Langston’s inclusion also highlights the SWAC’s willingness to schedule across divisions, a trend that has grown as HBCU conferences seek stronger regional ties. The Tigers will still face Ohio State on September 6, but the Langston game serves as a cultural counterbalance—a celebration of Black college football’s depth beyond the FBS paycheck contests.
Historical context amplifies the stakes. Grambling’s 5-1 series lead includes memorable clashes during the Doug Williams coaching era, when the Tigers dominated regional NAIA and NCAA matchups. Langston’s 1979 upset victory over Grambling remains a touchstone for the Lions’ program, proof that the underdog can topple giants. Current Tigers coach Hue Jackson, entering his third season, sees parallels between this game and Grambling’s glory days. “Eddie Robinson built this program by challenging every team, anywhere,” Jackson said. “That’s the standard we uphold.”
From a tactical perspective, Grambling’s Air Raid offense led by quarterback Julian Calvez will test Langston’s secondary, which allowed just 180 passing yards per game in 2024. The Lions counter with dual-threat QB Torrence Stevens, whose 3,400 total yards last season made him a NAIA All-American. For HBCU football purists, this game represents a rarity: a modern clash between SWAC speed and NAIA physicality, free from the transfer portal-driven homogenization affecting higher divisions.
Looking ahead, the Shreveport Classic’s success could spark more cross-divisional HBCU matchups. With the SWAC already leading FCS conferences in non-Division I games (14 scheduled for 2025), this model offers financial stability and recruiting exposure. For Langston, a strong showing against Grambling might accelerate their rumored transition to NCAA Division II. Meanwhile, Grambling uses this game as a springboard for a grueling SWAC slate featuring the Las Vegas HBCU Classic against Jackson State and the Bayou Classic versus Southern.
Beyond the field, the matchup underscores how HBCU classics remain cultural anchors. The Shreveport game will feature the Grammy-nominated World Famed Tiger Marching Band and Langston’s “Marching Pride,” ensuring the halftime show rivals the game in intensity. For alumni of both institutions, this is homecoming before homecoming—a chance to reconnect with traditions that transcend athletics.
As kickoff approaches, the question isn’t just who will win, but what this game means for HBCU football’s future. In an era where name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals and conference realignment dominate headlines, Grambling vs. Langston represents something purer: the unbroken thread of Black college football’s past, present, and future, playing out under the Louisiana lights.
**Upcoming Games**: Grambling State at Ohio State (Sept. 6), Langston vs. UTRGV (Sept. 13).
**—Raymond Hayes**