Week three of the HBCU football season provided its fair share of intrigue with some fascinating endings that has everyone.
One game in particular has fans crying foul feeling like an underdog got the short end of the stick in an emotional ending.
Elsewhere, an SIAC team has put its peers on notice with a significant win over a CIAA contender, a three-year losing streak was put to rest, a pair of teams fought through adversity to survive upset bids.
Here are the five takeaways from week three of the HBCU football season.
1. Grambling State-Kentucky State’s controversial ending
Grambling State got more than it bargained for when it welcomed Kentucky State into Eddie Robinson Memorial Stadium for its home opener.
The Tigers were taken to the brink, needing a touchdown in the waining moments of regulation to send the game to an extra period.
Beginning overtime on defense, Grambling State put Kentucky State away, forcing a fumble and returning it for a touchdown in a play that has been the subject of scrutiny.
Facing third-and-four, Kentucky State quarterback Torrence Bardell threw a short pass to Jon McCall, but ran into a crowd and was seemingly stopped short of a first down.
However, instead of the referees ruling that McCall was down by forward progress, they allowed the play to develop, resulting in the Tigers forcing the turnover and returning it for the game-winning score.
2. Edward Waters’ hot start
Edward Waters put the world on notice that they are a legit SIAC contender, keeping its record unblemished with a 41-38 win over the two-time reigning CIAA champion Virginia Union.
This is Edward Waters’ first 3-0 start as a member of the SIAC and its first 3-0 start in general in 60 years.
In addition, they have scored over 40 points in all three of their contests this season, ranking sixth in the country in scoring offense.
Before Saturday, Virginia Union had not lost against a non-conference Division II opponent since 2021. Also, Edward Waters held a 2-5 record against non-conference opponents, including three straight losses against Florida Memorial.
The Tigers will have a tough test on its hands in their next contest when they go on the road to Daytona Beach to face Bethune-Cookman.
3. North Carolina A&T’s FCS losing streak ends
After three years of being a member of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), North Carolina A&T has finally won a conference game, beating Hampton 33-30.
The Aggies had been 0-16 in conference competition and had lost its last 17 games against FCS opponents prior to their win over Hampton on Saturday.
This was also their first home victory against an FCS opponent since 2022, having lost their last nine such games.
Through the first three games under head coach Shawn Gibbs, the Aggies have shown signs of trending in the right direction toward becoming a championship contender once again.
4. Florida A&M can Bragg again
Florida A&M averted disaster in its home opener against Albany State, overcoming an early 14-3 deficit to claim its first win of the season.
Needing a spark to start the second half, the Rattlers scored two touchdowns in the first three minutes to shift the momentum completely in their favor.
The Rattlers showed resilience against a credible team that had been averaging 50 points per game through their first two games.
Heading into their bye week with a win will do wonders for their confidence when they return to open conference play against Alabama State.
5. Johnson C. Smith survives an Elizabeth City Scare
Johnson C. Smith survived a scare of its own this weekend, fending off an upset-minded Elizabeth City State on the road for a 21-17 win.
Despite Johnson C. Smith finding a way to come away with a win, scoring on a go-ahead 62-yard touchdown pass in the final four minutes, Elizabeth City State gave the Golden Bulls its first big test of the year.
The Vikings held the Golden Bulls to 140 total yards over the previous seven drives before they scored the eventual game-winning touchdown.
This included forcing three three-and-outs and the Golden Bulls’ only turnover on an interception at the end of the first half.
With the stakes on the rise for Johnson C. Smith, ahead of its next contest against reigning CIAA champion Virginia Union, having shown the fortitude to battle back from a deficit could prove to be valuable entering a game with postseason implications.
