LAS VEGAS, NV. | October 25, 2025 – In what may go down as one of the most dramatic victories of the 2025 HBCU football season, Grambling State pulled off a stunning upset over No. 12 Jackson State, winning 26–24 in the inaugural P&G Las Vegas HBCU Classic at Allegiant Stadium. With 21 seconds remaining, freshman kicker Josh McCormick drilled a 44-yard field goal to lift the Tigers to victory — sealing Grambling’s first win over a ranked FCS opponent since 2016.

The result sent shockwaves across the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and reaffirmed that Grambling State, now 5–3 overall (2–2 SWAC), remains one of the league’s most dangerous and resilient programs. Jackson State, meanwhile, dropped to 5–2 (3–1 SWAC), suffering its first conference loss of the year.

A Statement Win on a National Stage

Grambling entered the matchup as an underdog against a nationally ranked opponent known for its high-powered offense. But head coach Mickey Joseph’s squad showed composure, grit, and discipline in front of a lively Las Vegas crowd, rallying from a 10–0 deficit to outplay Jackson State in all three phases of the game.

“This team never blinked,” Joseph said after the win. “We’ve talked all year about finishing — finishing drives, finishing games — and tonight we did that. To beat a Top 25 team on this stage says a lot about where this program is heading.”

The Tigers finished with 365 total yards of offense, including 243 through the air, while holding their composure through adversity, including the late injury to their starting quarterback.

Teasett’s Commanding Performance

Quarterback C’zavian Teasett delivered the best game of his Grambling career, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-26 passing, and adding a 16-yard rushing score that helped turn the tide in the second half. The Southern University transfer showed poise and leadership, orchestrating multiple scoring drives while avoiding costly mistakes.

After Jackson State jumped out to a 10–0 first-half lead, Teasett ignited Grambling’s comeback with a 59-yard strike to Covadis Knighten late in the second quarter. Though the extra point was blocked, the big play provided much-needed momentum.

The Grambling defense immediately followed with a crucial special teams moment — Clyde McClendon Jr. blocked a punt that set up Theodore Caballero’s 24-yard field goal just before halftime, cutting the deficit to 10–9.

“We just had to weather the storm,” Teasett said. “Once we got that first touchdown, we started believing again. I told the guys on the sideline, ‘We’re not done yet.’”

Dominant Second Half and a Wild Finish

Grambling’s offense took over after the break. In the third quarter, Teasett engineered a 12-play, 83-yard drive, capped by his own 16-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers their first lead at 16–10. The drive chewed up clock and showcased the G-Men’s growing confidence on offense.

Early in the fourth quarter, Teasett found Andrew Frazier on a 27-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 23–10 and putting the nationally ranked Tigers on upset alert.

But Jackson State refused to go quietly. Quarterback Jared Lockhart led a pair of scoring drives in the final 10 minutes — first connecting with Nathan Rembert on a 62-yard touchdown bomb, then punching in a 1-yard QB keeper to give JSU a 24–23 lead with 2:15 to play.

With their starting quarterback injured on the ensuing drive, Grambling turned to true freshman A’Myne Darensbourg, who showed poise beyond his years. Darensbourg completed a key pass and managed the offense perfectly, setting up McCormick’s game-winning kick from 44 yards out.

“I knew it was good the second it left my foot,” McCormick said with a grin. “All I could think about was the work we put in all week. To come through for my brothers — it’s a feeling I’ll never forget.”

Defensive Backbone

While Teasett and the offense provided the fireworks, Grambling’s defense set the foundation for victory. The unit forced multiple fourth-down stops, contained Jackson State’s rushing attack when it mattered most, and pressured the opposing quarterbacks into hurried throws.

Blake Davis led the defense with nine total tackles (five solo), while Markel Linzer and Cisco Caston anchored a secondary that bent but rarely broke.

“We knew they were explosive,” Davis said. “They’ve got playmakers all over, but we wanted to be the more physical team — and we were.”

Despite giving up 448 total yards, Grambling’s defense forced two key turnovers on downs and delivered clutch plays when the game hung in the balance.

Historic Moment for Grambling Football

Saturday’s win marked Grambling State’s first victory over a Top 25 FCS team in nearly a decade, and it came under the bright lights of one of football’s grandest venues. For a program rich in legacy — from Eddie Robinson to Doug Williams — the victory felt like a statement that Grambling football is back on the rise.

“This is what Grambling football is supposed to look like,” Joseph said. “Discipline, toughness, execution, and pride.”

With the win, the G-Men improved to 5–3 overall and 2–2 in SWAC play, positioning themselves for a strong finish to the season. They’ll return home next week looking to build on the momentum from their biggest victory of the year — one that will be remembered as the day Grambling shocked the SWAC and the FCS on the Vegas strip.

Final Score: Grambling State 26, No. 12 Jackson State 24