ATLANTA, Ga. – Taking the field for the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Alabama A&M represented the Southwestern Athletic Conference at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia for a Saturday night matchup against Howard where the Bison used a late drive to overcome the Bulldogs with a final score of 31-24.

Howard opened their first drive with offensive tempo, moving the ball with quick passes and adding to the ground game, getting themselves in scoring territory. The Bison finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown entering the scoring column with a 7-0 lead. Howard’s defense added their second consecutive three-and-out on the defensive side and ended the first quarter tacking on a field goal to build their lead to 10-0.

Entering the second quarter, Alabama A&M’s deficit fell to 13-0 but the scoreless quickly ended as Cornelious Brown IV connected with Jarel Williams for a 26-yard touchdown, bridging their deficit to 13-7. Howard responded on the offensive end with multiple 10+ yard gains in the air resulting in a four-yard touchdown to extend their lead 20-7. With the two-minute drill in play for the Bulldogs, Cornelious Brown IV quickly drove the offense down the field striking back with a 14-yard touchdown to Imari Conley, going into the break trailing 20-14.

Howard opened the scoring column in the second half with a field goal bringing their lead 23-14 while Alabama A&M looked to respond while being held scoreless in the third. The Bulldogs quickly opened the final period of play moving the ball into scoring territory and finishing the drive with Cornelious Brown IV tugging his way into the endzone for a four-yard rush. Trailing 23-21, the Bulldogs forced a three-and-out on defense to regain possession and drove the ball in field goal territory finishing the drive with three more points to gain their first lead of the night. With anticipation under the five-minute mark, Howard corralled a stop on the defensive end to regain possession regained the lead with a 51-yard touchdown in the air. The Bulldogs’ final drive saw signs of life getting into scoring territory, but a late fumble recovery sealed the game for Howard with a 31-24 final score.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.