HBCU Football Chaos: Tennessee State Topples No. 1 Morgan State as SWAC Race Tightens
For the third consecutive week, the HBCU football landscape has been turned upside down.
Tennessee State delivered the weekend’s defining shocker by defeating No. 1 Morgan State 25–16 at the Bears’ homecoming. Jackson State strengthened its position in the SWAC East, Alabama A&M produced a 669-yard offensive explosion and Prairie View A&M survived a 79-point thriller.
The rankings will change again. The conference races are tightening. And another unforgettable HBCU football weekend is officially in the books.
Tennessee State Stuns No. 1 Morgan State
Few people expected one-win Tennessee State to walk into Morgan State’s homecoming and defeat the nation’s top-ranked HBCU program.
That is exactly what happened.
The Tigers shocked the Bears 25–16, producing one of the season’s most creative highlights when a wide receiver threw a 50-yard touchdown pass.
The victory guarantees another change at the top of the HBCU rankings. It marks the third consecutive week that the No. 1 position has been disrupted—a remarkable stretch that reflects the unpredictability and competitive depth of the current season.
Morgan State entered the weekend carrying the pressure of the top ranking. Tennessee State left with a statement victory capable of reshaping the national conversation.
Jackson State Forces Five Turnovers Against FAMU
Jackson State defeated Florida A&M 27–17 before a homecoming crowd of 44,173, improving to 6–1 overall and 3–1 in the SWAC.
The Tigers’ defense controlled the game by forcing five turnovers.
FAMU freshman quarterback Armond Parker experienced a difficult third collegiate start, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble. Parker had entered the game with momentum after engineering the Rattlers’ dramatic comeback against Alabama State, but Jackson State consistently pressured him into costly mistakes.
There was also encouraging news for JSU.
Jared Lockhart returned despite the back injury that forced him out of the previous game. He did not start but entered during the second quarter. Nate Blount IV also returned and scored, giving the Tigers additional offensive firepower at an important point in the season.
Jackson State remains in control of its championship ambitions, but the SWAC East is becoming increasingly crowded.
Alabama A&M Explodes for 669 Yards
One week after Grambling stunned Jackson State, Alabama A&M delivered a forceful reminder that momentum can disappear quickly in HBCU football.
The Bulldogs demolished Grambling 61–31 while accumulating an extraordinary 669 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Cornelius Brown IV threw for 417 yards and five touchdowns. Jaylan Bean was nearly unstoppable, finishing with 240 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Alabama A&M now sits only a half-game behind Jackson State in the SWAC East. With the Bulldogs’ offense operating at this level, the race for the division championship could become one of the season’s most compelling storylines.
Grambling, meanwhile, must regroup after following its season-defining victory over JSU with a 30-point loss.
Howard Handles Morehouse at Homecoming
Howard defeated Morehouse 31–17 at Greene Stadium behind a balanced performance from its offense and defense.
Eden James rushed for 120 yards, providing the consistency Howard needed to control the game. The Bison defense limited Morehouse to 264 total yards and prevented the Maroon Tigers from generating enough explosive plays to complete a comeback.
It was a complete homecoming victory for Howard—and another reminder of the program’s ability to impose its identity on opponents.
Jaden Davis Delivers a Defensive Masterpiece
Bethune-Cookman defeated Mississippi Valley State 34–14, but the final score tells only part of the story.
Safety Jaden Davis produced one of the most impressive individual defensive performances of the season:
- Three interceptions
- Nine tackles
- One sack
- A 61-yard fumble-return touchdown
Davis capped his remarkable performance with the defensive touchdown during the final minute. His combination of coverage instincts, tackling and playmaking completely changed the game.
If there is an HBCU Defensive Player of the Week conversation, Davis belongs at the center of it.
Prairie View Survives a 79-Point Thriller
Prairie View A&M edged Alcorn State 41–38 in a game that delivered almost nonstop offense.
A 37-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining ultimately decided the contest. Alcorn State received five touchdown passes from its quarterback and still left with a loss.
It was the kind of dramatic SWAC matchup that keeps conference races unpredictable: explosive offenses, constant momentum swings and a finish that remained in doubt until the closing minutes.
What Comes Next?
Florida A&M returns home next Saturday to host Arkansas-Pine Bluff for homecoming. After committing five turnovers against Jackson State, the Rattlers will need a cleaner performance to avoid another damaging conference loss.
The MEAC is also preparing for a historic broadcast moment. Morgan State’s matchup against South Carolina State will feature a Spanish-language simulcast on ESPN Deportes—the first of its kind for the conference.
That broadcast represents more than an additional viewing option. It gives HBCU football an opportunity to connect with new audiences and expand its national reach.
The ScoreClub Take
This weekend belonged to Tennessee State, but its impact extends far beyond one upset.
Morgan State’s loss guarantees a third consecutive change at No. 1. Jackson State remains a championship contender, Alabama A&M is closing fast and individual stars such as Cornelius Brown IV, Jaylan Bean and Jaden Davis are producing performances worthy of national attention.
HBCU football does not need manufactured drama. It already has championship races, massive homecoming crowds, breakout stars and weekly results capable of changing the entire landscape.
Three weeks. Three different No. 1 teams.
The only certainty is that nobody is safe.
ScoreClub Question: Who should become the new No. 1 team in HBCU football?
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