HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | Quincy Casey completed passes to 10 different receivers and threw for 328 yards, along with three touchdowns, as the Alabama A&M University football team rallied from a first-half deficit to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 31-24, on Thursday night in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game at Louis Crews Stadium. 

Alabama A&M (2-2 overall, 1-1 SWAC) got the ball to begin the game, but on the first offensive play from scrimmage, Darin Turner, who caught a four-yard pass from Quincy Casey, fumbled the ball and was recovered by Rico Dozier at the Bulldog 20. 

The Golden Lions, aided by a face mask personal foul penalty, cashed the turnover into points as Kevin English caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Mekhi Hagans as Arkansas-Pine Bluff grabbed a quick 7-0 lead with 11:42 remaining in the first quarter. 

On the Bulldogs' next possession, AAMU avoided disaster after Ryan Morrow recovered his own fumble. Alabama A&M recovered as Casey connected for a 39-yard pass play to Terrell Gardner, setting up the Bulldogs inside the UAPB 20. However, the Bulldog drive stalled at the Golden Lion 5 and AAMU settled for a 27-yard field goal by Luke Moffett cutting the deficit to 7-3 with 7:03 left. 

After a Golden Lion punt, Alabama A&M went back to work, starting at its own 45. The Bulldogs moved the ball 55 yards in seven plays, taking just over two minutes off the clock as Casey found Gardner in the corner of the endzone for the touchdown as AAMU took a 10-7 advantage with 3:12 remaining in the period. 

After the score, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-3, 0-1) took the kickoff and moved the ball to the AAMU 17. However, Jalen Macon was sacked by Zareon Hayes for 16 yards. On the very next play, Macon was intercepted by Marquez Beason at the Bulldog 33, ending the scoring threat for UAPB with 14:30 left in the first half. 

The turnover didn't result in points as Austin McCready's 40-yard punt was downed at the UAPB 1. 

The Golden Lions responded with a 94-yard, 16-play drive as Macon's pass on third down to BJ Curry was dropped in the endzone. Dean Sarris kicked a 22-yard field goal, tying the game at 10 with 2:54 remaining in the second quarter. 

Alabama A&M gambled on its next offensive possession with a fake punt. However, Harold Jemison's run was short as the Bulldogs turned the ball over at their own 28. 

Arkansas-Pine Bluff capitalized on the short field as Macon connected with Tristan Ballard on a 12-yard touchdown pass giving the Golden Lions a 17-10 lead with 51 seconds left. 

Neither team got much go early in the third quarter. 

However, Alabama A&M put together a time-consuming drive right before the end of the third quarter and was aided by a pass interference penalty as Donovan Eaglin capped an 11-play, 73-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 17 with 49 seconds remaining in the period. 

After an Arkansas-Pine Bluff punt on its next possession, the Bulldogs quickly moved the ball down the field as Casey connected on passes to five different receivers and struck the big blow, a 29-yard touchdown pass to Barry White as Alabama A&M grabbed the 24-17 lead with 11:55 left. 

The Golden Lions responded with a big third-down completion as Macon found Michael Jamerson down the right side for the 80-yard touchdown, tying the game at 24 with just under 11 minutes remaining. 

Big plays highlighted Alabama A&M's next drive as Casey found a streaking Keenan Hambrick down the left sideline to the UAPB 20. Five plays later, White caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Casey as the Bulldogs broke the tie and took a 31-24 advantage with 7:53 left. 

Arkansas-Pine Bluff put together a 12-play, 45-yard drive, moving the ball inside the AAMU 20, but walked away with zero points. With the ball resting at the Bulldog 16, Macon was stripped sacked by Demetrie Morgan and the ball was recovered by Emari Pait at the AAMU 20. 

Arkansas-Pine Bluff had one more final chance to potentially tie the game but Macon was sacked as time expired giving AAMU its first conference win of the season. 

 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE 

• Alabama A&M finished with 505 total yards of offense, including 328 through the air 
• The Bulldogs registered 24 first downs 
• Quincy Casey went 27 of 33 passing for 328 yards and three touchdowns 
• Donovan Eaglin rushed 19 times for 126 yards and one score 
• Terrell Gardner caught a team-high four passes for 69 yards and one touchdown 
• Zareon Hayes led the defense with 10 total tackles, including three solo stops 
• Demetrie Morgan had two sacks, along with one quarterback hurry 
• Austin McCready averaged 42.7 yards on three punts 
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff finished with 314 total yards 
• The Golden Lions registered 22 first downs 
• Jalen Macon went 17 of 29 passing for 227 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception 
• Macon rushed the ball nine times for 26 yards to pace the ground game 
• Michael Jamerson caught one pass for 80 yards, which went for a touchdown 
• Rico Dozier led the defense with 17 total tackles, including six solo stops 

UP NEXT 
Alabama A&M returns to action for its 2023 Homecoming Game on Saturday, Sept. 30 against Tuskegee. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for 2 p.m. from Louis Crews Stadium.