The most successful era for the Tigers was during the 1970s when they were led by legendary head coach W.C Gorden who guided them to seven SWAC championships between 1971 and 1979 as well as four consecutive Black College National Championships from 1972 to 1975 which included an undefeated season in 1973 where they outscored opponents 438-77 on their way to a 10–0 record with wins over Grambling State University twice that year including in the Pioneer Bowl Championship game played at Memorial Stadium in Birmingham Alabama.