Grambling coach Mickey Joseph took the bulk of the blame for the Tigers’ loss to Prairie View in the State Fair Classic in Dallas.
But he reserved his harshest criticism for transfer quarterback C’zavian Teasett.
Speaking candidly on Monday during the SWAC coaches media teleconference, Joseph expressed frustration that Teasett did not play up to par in the 28-13 loss to the Panthers at the Cotton Bowl.
The sophomore quarterback threw for just 161 yards, one touchdown, and three costly interceptions — failing, Joseph said, to adapt to a Prairie View defense that mainly played zone coverage.
“Anytime you pat the ball and drop eight, they got you because that’s what they want you to do,” he said. The coach emphasized that the strategy forces quarterbacks to make quick decisions and underlined the need for the receivers to “find grass,” pausing in open zones rather than overrunning routes where defenders are likely to lurk.
Another Week, Another Travor Randle
Interception🔒#DOG | #WTW | #PVAMUFootball pic.twitter.com/VJuoTKFl79— Prairie View A&M Football (@pvamufb_) September 28, 2025
Mickey Joseph affirms Teasett is the guy
The Grambling offense could get little going from the outset, going three-and-out on its first six drives of the game.
“We’ve got to help him (Teasett) with play calling, get us to start fast,” Joseph said, referring to the young quarterback’s struggle in trying to dissect the “unscouted” drop eight look Prairie View deployed.
Despite the quarterback’s difficulties—described as “struggling” in his first encounter with drop eight coverage—Joseph made it clear there would be no change under center.
“He’s our guy. He struggled. He struggled this one game,” said Joseph, adding that he decided to let Teasett attempt to play through adversity. “It’s a little different college football … he’s got to play through it. He’s the highest-paid player on the team.”
For the season, Teasett has completed 56.6% of his passes for 826 yards, to go along with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
“We gotta get a better game plan for him, and he has to play better,” said Joseph. “He’s a guy that we have to stick with. We can’t play musical chairs with this quarterback room.”
Looking for solutions and moving forward
Acknowledging the need for schematic improvements and sharper execution from both receivers and quarterback, Joseph pledged accountability, saying, “When you lose around here, it’s on me. It’s on me. I take accountability.”
He reminded fans and players alike that a loss is “not the end of the world”— but stressed the urgency of addressing these issues to compete in a conference where tactical surprises are a weekly occurrence.
“We’ve got to do a better job. But I’m always going to take responsibility,” Joseph said, promising fans that adjustments would be made and that his young quarterback would emerge better prepared the next week.
