The big picture: Week 3 delivered statement wins, rivalry drama and a few results that raised legitimate questions heading into the final week of September.
Here’s where the stock is moving after Saturday.
📈 STOCK UP
Jackson State
Jackson State is beginning to look like one of the most complete teams in HBCU football.
The Tigers handled Tuskegee 41-7, improving to 3-0. Jared Lockhart threw for 376 yards and four touchdowns, while Nate Blount IV accounted for 149 yards from scrimmage. Jackson State also held Tuskegee scoreless in the first half.
The biggest takeaway: Jackson State isn’t just winning. It’s doing it with offensive explosiveness and defensive consistency.
South Carolina State
The Bulldogs remain unbeaten — and they had to earn this one.
South Carolina State held off Furman 20-17 on the road to move to 4-0. DJ Maultsby caught four passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, while the Bulldogs held Furman to just 53 rushing yards.
South Carolina State entered the week as the No. 1 team in the Black College Football Poll. Saturday’s win didn’t erase every concern, but it added another quality result to an undefeated résumé.
Morgan State
Morgan State made one of the weekend’s loudest statements.
The Bears went into Towson and won 41-26, improving to 3-1. Morgan scored 17 points in both the second and fourth quarters and handed Towson its fourth consecutive loss.
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The win also gives Morgan another FCS victory outside the MEAC as the Bears continue to build momentum.
Alabama A&M
Alabama A&M followed its dominant win over Tennessee State with another blowout.
The Bulldogs crushed Bowie State 45-3, moving to 3-1. Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV completed his first 14 passes and finished the first half with 350 passing yards and three total touchdowns.
After two straight impressive performances, Alabama A&M is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.
Johnson C. Smith
The Golden Bulls continue to separate themselves in the CIAA.
Johnson C. Smith defeated Fayetteville State 20-14, improving to 3-1 and 2-0 in conference play. The Golden Bulls won their third straight game and again came through late against Fayetteville State.
For a team that entered the season with questions whether they could duplicate last season’s success, JCSU is quickly creating a different conversation.
Benedict
Benedict survived one of the wildest games of the weekend.
The Tigers defeated Fort Valley State 34-33 in overtime, improving to 3-0. The game featured a furious Fort Valley comeback and even confusion surrounding the scoreboard late in the contest.
Benedict didn’t make it easy, but undefeated is undefeated.
📉 STOCK DOWN
Prairie View A&M
This was a tough night for the defending SWAC champion.
Prairie View A&M fell to Stephen F. Austin 31-10, dropping to 1-3. The Panthers managed just 81 rushing yards and converted only 5 of 19 third downs.
The schedule was always going to be difficult, but at 1-3, Prairie View has little margin for error moving forward.
North Carolina Central
N.C. Central’s season took another step backward Saturday.
The Eagles were beaten by Gardner-Webb 44-20, falling to 2-2. After keeping things competitive in the first half, Central was outscored 20-3 in the second half.
For a team coming off a rivalry win over North Carolina A&T, Saturday was a reminder that consistency remains an issue.
Florida A&M
This one is going to sting.
Florida A&M lost to Tennessee State 29-26 after the Tigers scored with 51 seconds remaining. The loss dropped the Rattlers to 1-3, while Tennessee State picked up its first victory of the season.
FAMU had the home-field advantage and an opportunity to send its fan base home celebrating the return of a historic rivalry. Instead, Tennessee State walked away with the win
