Eric Boggs
An Ohio State football spokesperson announced that Ohio State and UConn have mutually decided to cancel their non-conference game scheduled for the 2025 season. Instead of playing UConn on October 18, the Buckeyes will host Grambling State at the Horseshoe on September 6.
With this change, Ohio State’s 2025 non-conference schedule includes games against Texas on August 30, Grambling State on September 6, and Ohio on September 13. In the Big Ten, Ohio State will play home games against Minnesota, Penn State, Rutgers, and UCLA, and away games against Illinois, Purdue, Washington, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
This game features two of the most historic football programs in college football. Grambling State has won 27 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championships and 16 Black College National Titles. The program has produced four Pro Football Hall of Famers: Willie Brown, Buck Buchanan, Willie Davis, and Charlie Joiner. Notable players also include Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams, James “Shack” Harris, and Paul “Tank” Younger, the first player from a historically black college to be drafted into the NFL.
“This is another opportunity for us to showcase our program to a national audience. We are thrilled that our players and fans will get to experience a matchup between two of the most storied football programs in the country. When people think of college football, Grambling State and Ohio State are names that come to mind. This game will allow both fan bases to experience the cultural and athletic excellence of both institutions.”
Dr. Travyean D. Scott, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Grambling State per the Miami Herald.
Grambling State is also known for its legendary head coach Eddie Robinson. Robinson is recognized by many college football experts as one of the greatest coaches of all time. During a period in college football history when black players were not allowed to play for southern college programs, Robinson built Grambling State into a “small” college football powerhouse. He retired in 1997 with a record of 408–165–15. Robinson coached every single game from the field and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997. He is arguably the most successful college football coach in FCS history and has the third most victories in college football history.
This will be the first time Ohio State and Grambling State face each other in football. Grambling State is a member of the Football Championship Subdivision and competes in the SWAC. Since starting its football program in 1928, Grambling State has won 15 Black College National Championships and 27 conference championships, including one in the Midwest Conference and 26 in the SWAC.
