Las Vegas, NV — Under the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium, Josh McCormick etched his name into Grambling football lore. The junior kicker drilled a 44-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining, lifting Grambling to a stunning 26–24 upset over No. 11 Jackson State in the HBCU Classic on Saturday night.
The game-winner capped a dramatic back-and-forth battle that saw both teams trade momentum in the final minutes. Grambling quarterback C’zavian Teasett orchestrated the decisive drive with poise, guiding the Tigers (5–3, 2–2 SWAC) into scoring range after Jackson State had seized the lead just moments earlier.
Late-Game Drama
Jackson State (5–2, 3–1 SWAC), ranked 11th in the FCS Coaches Poll, appeared to have snatched victory when Jared Lockhart powered in from a yard out to make it 24–23 with 2:15 left. But Teasett responded immediately, completing key throws under pressure before McCormick calmly nailed the go-ahead kick.
“It’s all about trust and execution,” said Grambling coach Mickey Joseph. “C’zavian stayed composed, the line held up, and Josh came through when we needed him most.”
Grambling Finds Its Rhythm
Teasett was outstanding all night, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-26 passing while adding a rushing score. Covadis Knighten led all receivers with five catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, and Andrew Frazier added a 26-yard scoring grab early in the fourth quarter that extended Grambling’s lead to 23–10.
Jackson State opened the game strong, racing to a 10–0 lead after JaCobian Morgan’s 7-yard touchdown run and a 30-yard field goal from Donovan Warren late in the first half.
But Grambling stormed back before halftime. Teasett connected with Knighten on a 59-yard bomb to get on the board, though the extra point was blocked. The Tigers then capitalized on a blocked punt by Clyde McClendon Jr., setting up Theodore Caballero’s 24-yard field goal as time expired to cut the deficit to 10–9.
Second-Half Surge
Grambling took control in the third quarter when Teasett scrambled for a 16-yard touchdown run to put his team ahead 16–10. Frazier’s touchdown catch early in the fourth pushed the advantage to 13 points.
Jackson State refused to fold, as Lockhart hit Nate Rembert for a 62-yard strike midway through the fourth to pull within six. After forcing a stop, Jackson State went 92 yards in six plays for Lockhart’s go-ahead touchdown — only for McCormick’s heroics to steal the spotlight.
By the Numbers
Grambling: Teasett — 16/26, 232 YDS, 2 TDs; 1 rush TD
Knighten — 5 REC, 96 YDS, 1 TD
Frazier — 1 REC, 26 YDS, 1 TD
Jackson State: Three QBs — 13/26, 250 YDS
Davenport — 11 CAR, 98 YDS
Rembert — 4 REC, 126 YDS, 1 TD
Statement Win
The victory marked Grambling’s first over a ranked opponent this season and a statement performance on a national stage.
“This team showed heart,” Joseph said. “When everything was on the line, they didn’t flinch.”
Jackson State, meanwhile, dropped its first conference game of the season and saw its six-game winning streak snapped.
