If you were anywhere near the Las Vegas Strip this past October, you felt it. The energy wasn't just the usual slot machine buzz or the neon glow of Allegiant Stadium. It was the Grambling vs Jackson State rivalry taking over "Sin City."
Honestly, it’s the kind of game that reminds you why HBCU football is in a league of its own. You’ve got the bands, the history, and two programs that basically act like the blue bloods of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). This latest meeting on October 25, 2025, wasn't just another notch on the schedule. It was a statement. Grambling State, coming in as the underdog, managed to pull off a 26-24 stunner against a ranked Jackson State squad.
Most people thought Jackson State would run away with it. They were ranked No. 11 or No. 12 depending on which poll you looked at. But that’s the thing about this rivalry—stats usually go out the window when the "World Famed" Tiger Marching Band and the "Sonic Boom of the South" start trading notes.
The Kick That Silenced the Boom
Let’s talk about the ending. It was wild.
With just over two minutes left, Jackson State’s Jared Lockhart punched in a 1-yard touchdown. JSU fans were already celebrating. The score was 24-23. It felt like another classic Jackson State comeback. But then, things got weird.
Grambling’s starting quarterback, C’zavian Teasett, had been carving up the defense all day. He threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns. But on that final drive, he took a nasty hit and had to be carted off. You could hear a pin drop in that stadium.
Enter A’Myne Darensbourg. A true freshman. In Las Vegas. Against a ranked rival.
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The kid didn't blink. He scrambled for a crucial first down and kept the chains moving. Then, Mickey Joseph—Grambling’s head coach—made a gutsy call. He benched his regular kicker, Theodore Caballero, who’d been having a rough afternoon with a missed extra point and a field goal. He sent out Josh McCormick instead.
McCormick nailed a 44-yard field goal with 21 seconds left.
That kick didn’t just win a game; it broke a streak. It was Grambling’s first win over a Top 25 FCS team since 2016. It proves that despite the "Coach Prime" era being in the rearview mirror for Jackson State, they are still the team everyone wants to hunt.
Why This Rivalry Hits Different
You can't talk about Grambling vs Jackson State without mentioning the ghosts of the past. We’re talking about Eddie Robinson and W.C. Gorden.
Robinson is the legend who put Grambling on the map, winning 408 games. For decades, if you were a top-tier Black athlete in the South, you went to Grambling. Period. But in the 80s, W.C. Gorden at Jackson State decided he’d had enough of that. He went 56-11 in the SWAC during that decade.
- The 1980s Shift: Jackson State became the dominant force, often acting as the "new money" to Grambling's "old guard."
- The Attendance Factor: These teams don't just play in front of students. They fill NFL stadiums. In the 2025 Las Vegas Classic, nearly 30,000 fans showed up.
- The NFL Pipeline: Combined, these schools have sent hundreds of players to the pros. Think Doug Williams (Grambling) or Walter Payton (Jackson State).
Actually, a lot of folks get the series record mixed up. If you look at the all-time numbers, Grambling leads the series 43-27. But if you only look at the last 20 years, it’s been a much tighter see-saw. Jackson State had a massive 66-24 win back in 2022 that some fans still won't let go of.
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Breaking Down the 2025 Box Score
If you're a stat nerd, the numbers from this latest game tell a story of "bend but don't break."
Jackson State actually outgained Grambling. JSU put up 448 total yards compared to Grambling’s 365. Usually, when you gain nearly 500 yards, you win the game. But JSU struggled in the red zone and suffered a major blow when their starting QB, JaCobian Morgan, went down early with a lower leg injury.
Game Leaders at a Glance:
- Passing: C'zavian Teasett (GSU) - 232 Yards, 2 TD
- Rushing: Donerio Davenport (JSU) - 98 Yards
- Receiving: Nate Rembert (JSU) - 126 Yards, 1 TD
- The Hero: Josh McCormick (GSU) - Game-winning 44-yard FG
The difference was the "G-Men" defense. They forced four punts and a massive turnover on downs late in the game. It wasn't pretty, but it was effective.
The Cultural Weight of the Las Vegas HBCU Classic
Why play in Vegas? Some purists hate it. They want the games on campus, in the humid air of Louisiana or Mississippi. But the P&G Las Vegas HBCU Classic is about expansion. It's about showing the world that HBCU culture isn't just a regional thing.
The halftime show was basically a concert. Grambling’s band and the Sonic Boom of the South went at it for nearly 40 minutes. In the HBCU world, the "Fifth Quarter" (the band battle after the game) is sometimes more important than the final score.
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It’s also about recruiting. By playing on the West Coast, these schools are reaching kids in California and Nevada who might never have considered an HBCU.
Common Misconceptions About the Rivalry
One thing that bugs me is when people say the rivalry "died" after Deion Sanders left Jackson State. That’s just wrong.
Sure, the national media spotlight dimmed a little, but the intensity between the fanbases? It’s higher than ever. JSU fans feel like they have a point to prove—that they are still the "Team to Beat" in the SWAC East. Grambling fans, meanwhile, are desperate to return to the glory days of the 70s and 80s.
Another myth: "It's just a football game."
No. It’s a family reunion. It’s a networking event. It’s a fashion show. If you go to a Grambling vs Jackson State game in a t-shirt and jeans, you’re going to feel underdressed.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Travelers
If you're planning to attend the next installment of this rivalry, here’s the reality of how to do it right:
- Book Your Hotels Early: Whether it’s in Jackson, Grambling, or a neutral site like Vegas or New Orleans, rooms vanish six months out.
- Don't Skip the Tailgate: The game starts at 6:00 PM, but the "real" event starts at 8:00 AM in the parking lot. You haven't lived until you've had ribs from a smoker hitched to the back of a truck with a GSU flag.
- Stay for the Bands: Seriously. Do not leave at the fourth quarter whistle. The band battle after the game is a masterclass in precision and showmanship.
- Check the Neutral Site Schedule: These teams love "Classics." Check if they are playing in the Bayou Classic or a special invitational before assuming it's a home game.
The 2025 game proved that Grambling is officially back in the conversation, and Jackson State, while wounded, is still a powerhouse. This isn't just a game; it's the heartbeat of the SWAC.
For those looking to follow the rest of the season, keep an eye on the SWAC East standings. Jackson State’s loss to Grambling was their first conference hiccup, which puts massive pressure on their upcoming matchup against Florida A&M. Grambling, now 5-3, has a real shot at making some noise in the West if Teasett’s injury isn't season-ending.
Stay tuned to the official school athletic sites—gsutigers.com and gojsutigers.com—for updated injury reports on Teasett and Morgan.