Grambling State 26, Jackson State 24 Las Vegas, NV — Under the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium, Grambling State delivered a stunning 26–24 upset over defending SWAC champion and No. 12-ranked Jackson State in the inaugural P&G Las Vegas HBCU Classic. The win not only marked Grambling’s first victory over a Top 25 FCS opponent since 2016 but also reaffirmed the G-Men’s proud legacy as the “blueblood” of HBCU football.
The game had all the drama fitting for its Las Vegas stage, early momentum swings, emotional moments, and a heroic finish. Down to its backup quarterback and a kicker rarely called on in clutch situations, Grambling refused to fold.
Josh McCormick became the hero, drilling a 44-yard field goal with just 21 seconds remaining to complete the comeback and send the G-Men sideline into a frenzy.
The victory came under emotional circumstances after starting quarterback C’Zavian Teasett, who had been electric all game, went down with a serious injury late in the fourth quarter. He finished with 232 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a rushing score before being carted off the field. “We want to send prayers to Zay and his family,” said head coach Mickey Joseph, visibly emotional after the game. “When you lose kids like this… he’s ours. He’s mine. And when you lose him to an injury like this, it hurts.”
With Teasett out, true freshman A’Myne Darensbourg stepped in and calmly led Grambling downfield, converting key plays on fourth-and-9 and third-and-12 to set up McCormick’s game-winning kick. “It was tough seeing Teasett go down,” McCormick said. “We prayed on the sideline and knew we were playing for something bigger — for him, for his mom. That gave me peace.”Grambling rallied after a slow start. Trailing 10–0 late in the first half, Teasett hit Covadis Knighten for a 59-yard touchdown, then Theodore Caballero added a 24-yard field goal following a blocked punt by Clyde McClendon Jr., making it 10–9 at halftime.
The G-Men took control in the second half as Teasett ran in a 16-yard touchdown and later connected with Andrew Frazier for a 27-yard score to lead 23–10.Jackson State, led by backup quarterback Jared Lockhart, stormed back with a 62-yard strike to Nate Rembert and a late 1-yard rushing touchdown to grab a 24–23 lead with just over two minutes left. On the ensuing kickoff, JSU’s ball went out of bounds, setting Grambling up at its own 35 — the start of what would become its most determined drive of the season, built on faith, pride, and the championship spirit of the G-Men.Jackson State had two final snaps after McCormick’s kick, but Grambling’s defense stood tall as the clock ran out.
JSU quarterback Jacobian Morgan, who opened the game with an early touchdown run, exited in the first quarter with a left leg injury and did not return. He will undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of the injury. “We got our butts kicked tonight,” said JSU head coach T.C. Taylor. “Hat’s off to Grambling — they came out and played a good game. Period. Tough loss tonight, but we’ve just got to rebound from it.”Grambling finished with 365 total yards, including 243 through the air, while Blake Davis led the defense with nine tackles. Jackson State posted 448 yards but couldn’t overcome key mistakes and a resilient GSU defense down the stretch. For a program determined to reclaim its championship standard, this win meant everything. On one of the biggest stages in HBCU football, Grambling State reminded the world exactly who they are, and that the proud spirit of their storied program still burns bright.
Stat Leaders (All Verified From the Box Score Provided)
Grambling State
- QB C’Zavian Teasett: 16-of-26, 232 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT (long 59)
- WR Covadis Knighten: 5 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD (59-yard reception)
- WR Andrew Frazier: 1 reception, 26 yards, 1 TD
- Team Passing: 243 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Jackson State
- RB Donerio Davenport: 11 carries, 98 yards (long 22)
- QB Jared Lockhart: 3-of-8 passing for 96 yards, 1 TD; also 7 rushes for 44 yards and a rushing TD
- WR Nate Rembert: 4 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TD (62-yard score)
- Team Rushing: 45 carries for 198 yards and 2 TD
Final Takeaway
Although Grambling State has faced some tough seasons over the past six years, the Tigers once again rose to the occasion, defeating the reigning HBCU national champion Jackson State. From 2014 to 2025, Grambling State and Jackson State have met nine times, with Grambling winning seven and Jackson State taking two. This victory adds to Grambling’s long-standing edge in the rivalry — out of 74 total matchups, Grambling leads the all-time series 48–25–1.
