LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — In a stunning upset defying both the oddsmakers and the analytics, the Grambling Tigers edged the Jackson State Tigers 26-24 on a last-second field goal Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.

The game, played before a crowd of 32,847, was a tale of two comebacks, with Grambling rallying from an early deficit and Jackson State mounting a furious fourth-quarter charge, only to fall short in the final seconds.

Jackson State, which entered the game with a 5-1 record and was projected by Interstat’s ELO system to have an 89.30 percent chance of winning, dominated the first quarter. Quarterback JaCobian Morgan of Canton, Mississippi, capped an efficient opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. After a long drive stalled deep in Grambling territory, kicker Donovan Warren of Santa Cruz, California, connected on a 30-yard field goal to give Jackson State a 10-0 lead after one quarter.

Grambling, a 20.5-point pregame favorite despite its 3-3 record, began its methodical comeback in the second quarter. Quarterback C’zavian Teasett of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, found tight end Covadis Knighten, also from Baton Rouge, for a 59-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score at 10-6. Just before halftime, Grambling capitalized on a blocked punt, recovering the ball at the Jackson State 7-yard line. With only three seconds on the clock, Theodore Caballero of San Antonio, Texas, booted a 24-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 10-9 at the break.

The momentum fully shifted to Grambling in the third quarter. Teasett engineered a sustained drive, culminating in a 16-yard touchdown run by the quarterback himself. The successful extra point gave Grambling its first lead of the game at 16-10.

Grambling extended its lead early in the fourth quarter. Teasett connected with Andrew Frazier on a 26-yard scoring strike, pushing the advantage to 23-10 and seemingly putting the game out of reach.

Jackson State, however, refused to surrender. Quarterback Jared Lockhart of Charlotte, North Carolina, entered the game and provided an immediate spark. On his first significant drive, Lockhart unleashed a 62-yard touchdown pass to Nate Rembert of Kissimmee, Florida, pulling Jackson State back within a score at 23-17.

After a defensive stop, Jackson State’s offense went back to work. Lockhart orchestrated a gritty, methodical drive, repeatedly using his legs to extend plays. He finally punched the ball in from 1 yard out for a touchdown, giving Jackson State a dramatic 24-23 lead with just over two minutes remaining.

With the clock winding down, Grambling’s offense took over, needing only a field goal to win. Teasett and backup Amyne Darensburg of New Orleans led the Tigers into Jackson State territory. A key 11-yard completion from Darensburg to Barron Miles of Montreal, Canada, set up the game-winning attempt. With 14 seconds left, Josh McCormick of Austin, Texas, calmly drilled a 44-yard field goal to reclaim the lead for Grambling.

Jackson State’s final desperation attempt ended with Lockhart scrambling for a 23-yard gain as time expired.

Statistically, Teasett led Grambling, completing 16 of 26 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 15 yards and another score on the ground. Knighten was his top receiver, hauling in five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. For Jackson State, the quarterback trio of Lockhart, Morgan, and Parker Stofa combined for 250 passing yards and two touchdowns. Rembert was a standout with four receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown, while running back Donerio Davenport of Mansfield, Texas, rushed for 98 yards on 11 carries.

The loss drops Jackson State to 5-2 overall, while Grambling improves to 4-3. Jackson State will look to rebound on the road at Florida A&M on Nov. 1. Grambling returns home to host Alabama A&M on the same date.