October is over, and the margin for error is getting smaller.
Saturday’s HBCU football slate delivered rivalry drama, overtime thrillers and a few results that could reshape conference races. Alabama A&M escaped with another Magic City Classic victory, Southern delivered one of its most convincing performances of the season, and Johnson C. Smith showed it has a playmaker capable of changing a championship race.
But not everyone left Saturday feeling good. Bethune-Cookman followed an impressive victory over Jackson State with a blowout loss, while Florida A&M continued searching for answers. Here are five things we learned from Saturday’s action.
Alabama A&M didn’t have to dominate the Magic City Classic to prove it’s No. 1
Nobody is handing out style points for rivalry victories. Alabama A&M defeated Alabama State 31-28 in the 85th annual Magic City Classic, and that’s what matters most. The Bulldogs survived a competitive game, protected their bragging rights, and kept themselves atop the SWAC East. Cornelius Brown IV threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns, while Kolton Nero added 81 rushing yards and a score. Alabama State produced 420 yards but couldn’t finish the job. The Bulldogs seemingly have staying power.
Southern might finally be figuring things out under Marshall Faulk
Southern’s 42-14 victory over Florida A&M might have been the Jaguars’ most encouraging performance of the season. Trey Holly rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns, while Khalil Davis added two rushing scores. Southern finished with 423 yards of total offense and controlled the game against a struggling Rattlers team. For Marshall Faulk, this is the kind of performance that should generate optimism. One victory doesn’t erase earlier inconsistencies, but the Jaguars finally showed what their offense can become. And that’s giving the rock to 1,000-yard rusher Trey Holly.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff is in the hunt now
Arkansas-Pine Bluff handed the Wildcats a 63-21 defeat in its best win of the Alonzo Hampton era to date. Jaylen Jennings rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Lions overwhelmed Bethune-Cookman. Just weeks ago, the Golden Lions were considered an afterthought in the SWAC West. After consecutive wins, UAPB is tied for first in the division. Who would have thought that?
Johnson C. Smith has a game-changer in Fabian Duncan
Championship teams need players who can take over when everything is on the line. Johnson C. Smith might have one in Fabian Duncan. The Golden Bulls defeated Virginia State 39-33 in overtime, with Duncan rushing for 203 yards and two touchdowns while catching another score. He delivered the game-winning 19-yard touchdown in overtime after Virginia State failed to score. The victory was especially important following JCSU’s loss to Bowie State. Duncan showed why the Golden Bulls shouldn’t be overlooked.
The leftovers …
- North Carolina Central 34, Howard 0: This was a statement from the Eagles. Holding Howard to 114 total yards while producing 472 of their own is the type of performance that should make the rest of the MEAC pay attention.
- Delaware State 36, Norfolk State 33: Delaware State found a way to win a tight conference matchup after trailing twice by 17 points. Hornets found their quarterback in Marqui Adams, who threw four touchdown passes, and the Hornets showed some series resolve when they could have easily folded. DSU doesn’t have the talent of the 2025 squad, but it does have a lot of fight.
- North Carolina A&T 13, Elon 10: It wasn’t pretty, but the Aggies have turned the corner under Shawn Gibbs after a homecoming win on Saturday. That chicken is starting to cook in Greensboro.
- Texas Southern 23, Grambling State 20 (2OT): Texas Southern is becoming difficult to put away. The Tigers secured their second consecutive walk-off victory, with Cam’Ron McCoy scoring the winning touchdown in double overtime. Once left for dead in the SWAC West, consecutive late-game wins have all of a sudden placed Texas Southern in the middle of everything.
