Ckelby Givens checked his phone when his celebratory mood calmed some.

Southern’s star player had six tackles, a tackle for loss and the game-sealing fumble recovery with 32 seconds left in Southern’s 28-27 win over Grambling on Saturday in the 52nd Bayou Classic at the Caesars Superdome.

Givens collected himself briefly after the win and saw a text message.

“One of my friends texted me and said this,” Givens shared with reporters, “‘You couldn’t write a better story.’”

His final play in the Columbia blue and gold was a poetic conclusion to a standout career for the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, who led all of FCS in tackles for loss a year ago.

“Way to steal the show,” defensive end Jerome Wallace said jokingly to Givens after the fumble re

See Full Page