Bethune-Cookman lost a halftime lead but still managed to achieve a positive historical mark.
Ali Scott Jr.’s 26-yard touchdown scamper with 1:07 left in the fourth quarter delivered the Wildcats their first conference-opening win as a member of the SWAC, 41-34 over Alabama A&M.
BCU (2-3 overall, 1-0 SWAC East) used a 20-point second quarter to open up a 27-17 halftime advantage on the Bulldogs. Jhavon Ross and Khamani Robinson both scored rushing touchdowns in the big second quarter and with eight seconds left in the period, quarterback Cam Ransom connected with Rickie Shaw II on a 27-yard touchdown pass for the 10-point halftime lead.
AAMU (3-2, 0-1 SWAC East) rallied in the second half thanks to two passing touchdowns from quarterback Eric Handley.
Handley fired a 32-yard scoring strike to Pierre Franck less than four minutes into the third quarter and tossed a 1-yarder to Travaunta Abner to pull the Bulldogs within three going into the fourth quarter. Handley was outstanding in a losing effort, completing 27 of 40 passes for 355 yards and three touchdown passes.
David Faulk banged home a 19-yard field goal with six minutes left in the period to tie the game at 34, but the Wildcats would respond with a prolonged drive. Scott took a toss from McCoy and zipped into the end zone for the winning touchdown with just over a minute to play.
Coupled with their 35-9 win over Edward Waters last week, this marks the first time Bethune-Cookman has won consecutive games since Nov. 2 and Nov. 11 of 2023.
