BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama A&M University freshman running back Byron Perrilliat has been named the FCS National Freshman Player of the Week after delivering a career performance in the Bulldogs' 40-21 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory over Florida A&M on Saturday.
 
Perrilliat rushed for a career-high 223 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries, averaging 13.9 yards per attempt as Alabama A&M pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure its SWAC opener.
 
With the Bulldogs holding a 23-21 advantage after Florida A&M had trimmed the deficit to two points, Perrilliat helped put the game away with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown runs.
 
The freshman broke loose for a 15-yard touchdown to extend the Alabama A&M advantage before adding a 22-yard scoring run later in the quarter, helping the Bulldogs finish the game with 17 unanswered points.
 
Perrilliat's 223 rushing yards marked the most by an Alabama A&M player since 2019 and represented one of the top rushing performances by a Bulldog in recent seasons.
 
The Jefferson, La. native continues an impressive start to his collegiate career and provided a major spark for an Alabama A&M offense that produced 40 points in the conference-opening victory.
 
Alabama A&M will look to end a five-game losing streak to Jackson State on Saturday in the annual Gulf Coast Challenge. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for 4 p.m. from Ladd-Peebles Stadium and streamed on SWAC TV.
 
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 competitions are 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 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit the official website of the SWAC at www.swac.org.