It was a humid Saturday in Columbus back in September 2025. You could feel the energy in the air, but it wasn't the usual "big game" tension. It was something different. When people talk about Grambling St vs Ohio State, they usually look at that 70-0 final score and wince. It’s a lot. Honestly, it’s a massive margin. But if you were one of the 100,624 fans sitting in those metal bleachers at Ohio Stadium, you know the vibe was way more complex than just a blowout.
This wasn't just another payday game for an HBCU. It was a collision of two worlds. You had the Buckeyes, coming off a gritty 14-7 win against Texas, looking to find their offensive rhythm. Then you had the Tigers, a legendary program from the SWAC, walking into one of the most intimidating venues in all of sports for a million-dollar check and a chance to prove they belonged on the same turf.
What Went Down on the Field (The Sayin Show)
Julian Sayin was basically a surgeon that day.
Usually, when a backup-turned-starter gets his second career nod, there are some jitters. Not here. Sayin completed his first 16 passes. That's not a typo. He actually broke the school record for most consecutive completions to start a game, surpassing the mark set by Will Howard just months earlier during the Buckeyes' championship run.
By the time the first half ended, Sayin had 306 yards and four touchdowns. He was 18-of-19. His only "miss"? An interception by Grambling’s Tyrell Raby right at the goal line. It was the kind of performance that made you realize Ohio State’s quarterback room is just built differently.
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The Big Plays
- The 87-yarder: Jeremiah Smith is just unfair. He caught a deep ball from Sayin in the first quarter and basically strolled into the end zone. It was the second-longest pass play in Ohio State history.
- The Scoop and Score: On the first play of the second half, Kayden McDonald forced a fumble. Riley Pettijohn, a true freshman, picked it up and ran it 23 yards for a touchdown. That made it 42-0.
- Bo Jackson’s Debut: No, not that Bo Jackson. But this one showed out too. The freshman running back racked up 108 yards in the second half alone.
Why Grambling St vs Ohio State Mattered for Both Sides
Look, $1 million is a lot of money for any FCS program. For Grambling State, that payout is transformative. It funds scholarships, travel, and facilities. But Mickey Joseph, Grambling’s coach, didn't want his guys just looking at the bank account. He wanted them to compete.
For about ten minutes in the first quarter, they did.
Grambling actually put together a 12-play drive that got them all the way to the Ohio State 19-yard line. Andre Crews ripped off a 19-yard run on a gutsy fourth-down call. If Theodore Caballero had made that 36-yard field goal, the "shutout" narrative dies right there. Instead, the kick sailed wide, and the Buckeyes hit the gas pedal.
The Statistical Gap
When you look at the total yardage—651 for Ohio State versus 166 for Grambling—it’s easy to say the game was a mismatch. And it was. Ohio State averaged nearly 10 yards per play. Grambling averaged 3.
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But there’s a nuance people miss. Ohio State used this game to blood their youth. We saw Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, and even Tavien St. Clair all get snaps. Nine different Buckeyes scored touchdowns. It was a live-fire exercise for the deepest roster in the country.
The Basketball Connection
Funny enough, these two schools met again just a few months later on the hardwood. On December 23, 2025, the Tigers came back to Columbus for a hoops matchup.
While the score wasn't 70-0, the result was similar. Ohio State cruised to an 89-63 win. John Mobley Jr. was the star there, dropping 20 points and hitting five triples. Grambling’s Antonio Munoz put up 19, showing that the Tigers have some serious individual talent, even if the depth isn't there to hang with a Big Ten powerhouse for 40 minutes.
It’s becoming a bit of a "thing"—this scheduling partnership. Some fans hate these lopsided games, calling them "cupcake" matchups. But others see the value in HBCU visibility. When Grambling plays on the Big Ten Network, people see the jerseys, the history, and the brand.
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Real Insights for Fans
If you're looking back at the Grambling St vs Ohio State matchups or planning to follow future ones, here is the reality:
- Don't bet the spread blindly: In the football game, the spread was around 54.5. Ohio State covered, but only because their third-stringers were playing for their lives in the fourth quarter.
- Watch the freshmen: These games are the only time you get to see the future 5-star recruits play meaningful snaps before they become household names.
- Respect the grind: Grambling traveled over 900 miles for a beating and a check. That money keeps their program competitive in the SWAC, where they actually have a shot at titles.
Moving forward, keep an eye on how Ohio State handles their non-conference scheduling. They’ve swapped around games with UConn and others to make room for these HBCU matchups. It’s a trend that isn’t going away. If you want to see the next generation of Buckeye stars like Bo Jackson or Julian Sayin get their start, these are the Saturdays you have to watch.
The best way to stay ahead is to check the official Ohio State athletics site for snap counts after these games. It tells you exactly who the coaching staff trusts when the "real" Big Ten season starts.