GRAMBLING, La. | Grambling State quarterback Hayden Benoit threw for four touchdowns and the Tigers' defense forced two turnovers as GSU capped its regular-season home slate with a 31–23 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday afternoon at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.

With the win, Grambling State improved to 7–3 overall and 4–2 in SWAC play, while the visiting Wildcats dropped to 5–5 (4–2 SWAC). 

The victory also secured GSU's first winning season since 2019. 

The Tigers wasted no time putting points on the board, capitalizing on an early Bethune-Cookman fumble deep in its own territory. Theodore Caballero opened the scoring with a 23-yard field goal, and Benoit followed minutes later with a 38-yard strike to Andrew Frazier to give GSU a 10–0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Bethune-Cookman responded in the second quarter with a field goal and an 11-yard touchdown run from Timmy McClain, but Benoit kept the Tigers in front, connecting on scoring passes of 59 yards to Nae'Saan Dickerson and 5 yards to Patrick Williams II. McClain found Maleek Huggins for a 61-yard touchdown to pull BCU even at 17–17, but Williams' 4-yard TD grab gave GSU a 24–20 halftime lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, Grambling's defense held firm, and Benoit delivered again late — finding Keith Jones Jr. on an 8-yard touchdown pass with 4:23 left to seal the win. Bethune-Cookman's Juan Dominguez added his third field goal of the day in the closing minutes to cut the deficit to eight.

Benoit finished the afternoon 12-of-20 passing for 220 yards and four touchdowns, while running backs Andre Crewsand Clyde McClendon Jr. combined for 183 rushing yards to power the Tigers' ground game, which totaled 197 yards overall. Jones Jr. led GSU with 51 receiving yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Marcellius Johnson led all tacklers with nine stops, including a sack and a forced fumble. Grambling's front line tallied four sacks and eight tackles for loss on the day.

For Bethune-Cookman, McClain completed 15-of-18 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score. Huggins hauled in six receptions for 122 yards and a score.

UP NEXT 
Grambling State travels to Lorman, Miss. to face Alcorn State. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Spinks-Casem Stadium and will be streamed on SWAC TV. 

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