Howard Outlasts Alabama A&M 31-24 to Win the MEAC/SWAC Kickoff Challenge, and Atlanta Reminded Everyone Why This Weekend Matters
By: Dez B.
ATLANTA — This weekend wasn't just about football. It never really is when it comes to the MEAC/SWAC Kickoff Challenge. This is a showcase of culture, tradition, community and excellence, on the field and off of it, and for one more year, Atlanta played host to a celebration that has cemented itself as one of the most meaningful season-openers in all of college football. Howard walked away with the win, holding off Alabama A&M 31-24 in a game that lived up to every bit of the hype surrounding it.
More Than a Game
Every year, two new programs step into this challenge and put everything they have into representing their schools on a national stage. And every year, it's not just the players who show out — it's the bands. The marching bands are what make this event electric, filling the stadium with brass, rhythm and pure showmanship, and by the time the final whistle blows, there's already a second competition brewing: the Fifth Quarter battle of the bands, which for a lot of fans in the building might be the best part of the entire day.
This year's matchup brought together Alabama A&M and Howard, two esteemed programs in their own right. Howard, often referred to as "The Mecca," carries a reputation as the standard-bearer for HBCU excellence, and Alabama A&M came in ready to challenge that standard head-on.
Setting the Tone Before Kickoff
In the days leading up to the game, both head coaches made something clear in their press conferences: this was about more than football. They talked about how camp had gone, how their programs are working with the resources available to them, and what it genuinely means to represent HBCU football on a national platform. Both teams are coming off rough seasons a year ago, and both have made real changes — new coaching voices, new faces on the roster, a different overall approach to how they operate.
Fundamentals were a constant talking point, and so was life beyond the sport. Both coaching staffs emphasized preparing these young men for whatever comes next, whether that's the NFL or not, and made it clear that academics remain the foundation of these programs. Students first, athletes second — that message came through loud and clear heading into kickoff.
Gameday in Atlanta
Anxiety was high on both sidelines as the teams arrived at the stadium, which is exactly what you want heading into a game like this. A new chapter in this rivalry was about to be written.
The Bulldogs' fans filled the stands, loud and proud, decked out in their school colors. Howard's fans were in the building too, though they found themselves outnumbered on this particular afternoon. What wasn't outnumbered, though, was the sound — both marching bands rolled in with thunderous energy, filling the stadium with brass and rhythm before the ball was even kicked off.
The MEAC entered this year's challenge holding a 12-win advantage in the all-time series, and plenty of people around the sport will tell you this event simply belongs to the MEAC. Alabama A&M had other ideas, and it was on the Bulldogs to prove it on the field.
How the Game Unfolded
Howard came out of the gate strong, capitalizing early and setting the tone for what would become a genuine track meet. The Bison built a 10-point lead in the first quarter behind a touchdown and a field goal, while Alabama A&M struggled to find its offensive footing early. The Bulldogs' defense held its ground reasonably well in that opening stretch, but as any coach will tell you, defense alone can only carry a team so far.
The second quarter is where things really opened up. Howard struck again, pushing its total to 20 points and threatening to run away with it. But Alabama A&M answered — twice — cutting the deficit and turning this into the dogfight everyone expected. The crowd noise climbed with every possession, the bands stayed locked in, and the cheerleaders on both sidelines made sure their teams felt the energy. Heading into halftime, consistency was the name of the game, and Alabama A&M knew it needed to find some if it wanted to walk away with the win it came for.
Halftime brought exactly what you'd expect from this event — a dazzling battle of the bands that kept the crowd locked in and hungry for the second half. The game was still very much alive.
The Second Half Fight
The third quarter turned into a defensive struggle for both sides. Alabama A&M continued to battle against a stout Howard defense, but the Bison offense hit its own wall against the Bulldogs. Only three points were scored in the entire quarter, and they came from Howard.
Then the fourth quarter arrived, and Alabama A&M made its push. The Bulldogs found the end zone and pulled themselves right back into contention, and for a stretch, it felt like anyone's game. Emotions were running high on both sidelines. But Howard wasn't ready to let this one go. The Bison answered every push with one of their own, closing the door late and securing the 31-24 win.
With the victory, Howard claimed the Challenge title for the MEAC once again, pushing the conference's all-time series lead to 13-7. It's a hard-fought result and a genuine confidence booster for the Bison heading into Week 2.
By the Numbers
Alabama A&M quarterback Cornelius Brown IV finished the day 25-of-41 passing for 254 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Running back Maurice Edwards IV led the ground game with seven carries for 57 yards, while Jarel Williams paced the receiving corps with four catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. As a team, the Bulldogs finished with 405 total yards — 254 through the air and 151 on the ground.
For Howard, quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins put together a standout performance, going 19-of-36 for 315 yards and three touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing with 17 carries for 49 yards. Zaden Jackson led all Bison receivers with three catches for 66 yards. Howard finished with 436 total yards, 322 through the air and 114 on the ground.
What's Next
Both programs are already looking ahead. Howard will face Richmond next, looking to build on this win and move to 2-0 to open the season. Alabama A&M will host Miles College, looking to bounce back and pick up its first win of the year.
The rivalry is real. The game was electric. And once again, every road through the MEAC/SWAC Kickoff Challenge led straight to excellence.
