JACKSON, Miss. -- Grambling State pulled off a late comeback and last-second defensive stand as the G-Men took a 26-23 win over Jackson State at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Saturday.

Sophomore running back Dawrence Roberts scamped to paydirt from paydirt from 10 yards out against a stacked Jackson State defensive line with 1:24 remaining to put Grambling up by three points, but the game was far from over with high-powered quarterback Casey Theriault behind center for JSU.

Theriault moved the home-standing JSU Tigers within scoring position in the final minute before catching a break as it appeared he fumbled on a scamble attempt but after a midfield conference game officials ruled he was down before losing the ball.

Another delay ensued as officials tried to determine what down the play was on before ruling the next play as second down, much to the chagrin of GSU coaches. JSU then moved into the red zone, gaining a first down on a pass interference call against the G-Men.

Jackson State opted to go for the win as opposed to a field goal and overtime, but Theriault's pass to the corner of the end zone as time expired was overthrown as the Grambling bench erupted in celebration of the Tigers' fourth straight victory.

"The most important thing is the way you finish and that's something we've done a good job of the past four weeks," a gatorade-soaked GSU coach Doug Williams said following the game. "The Grambling-Jackson State rivalry has always been big and a big part of (Southwestern Athletic Conference) football and with (JSU) celebrating its football centennial, we knew this was going to be a big one."

More importantly, the win kept GSU in the SWAC's West Division race with two regular season games remaining and a trip to the conference championship in Birmingham, Ala., at stake. GSU is tied for the SWAC West lead at 4-3, but PVA&M holds the tiebreaker after defeating the G-Men earlier this season.

"I told the team to enjoy tonight and (Sunday), because Monday we've got to get to work preparing for (Texas Southern)," Williams said. "We're taking things one game at a time and hopefully that will mean we have three left -- Texas Southern, the Bayou Classic and the SWAC Championship."

Grambling (5-4 overall) carried a 12-6 lead into the locker room at halftime with a field goal from Zolton Riazzo and a 73-yard scoring pass from quarterback Frank Rivers to receiver Mario Louis. But Jackson State (7-2, 5-2 in the SWAC) countered in the third quarter to score 10 answered points and move out to a 16-12 advantage.

Roberts helped swing momentum back toward the G-Men early in the final stanza, bursting free for a 76-yard touchdown run after JSU missed a field goal attempt that would have put the home team up by more than a touchdown. Instead, Robert's breakaway put Grambling on top 19-16 with 11:27 remaining.

But Theriault countered with a touchdown toss to put JSU back on top 23-19 and setting up Grambling's come-from-behind win.

Roberts led the way for Grambling with 201 rushing yards and two scores on 23 attempts to average 8.3 yards per carry.

Rivers hit on six-of-17 passes for 152 yards while D.J. Williams quarterbacked Grambling during the final quarter but let Roberts' legs do most of the work for the G-Men.

Special teams also played a big role for GSU as Edward Patterson returned three kicks for 95 yards and David Struckman added three kick returns for 188 yards.

"The good thing is every week the past few games we've had a player or two step up and make the kinds of big plays we need to get the win," Doug Williams said. "Today it was Dawrence and Mario. We're moving in the right direction, now we have to focus on keeping things that way."