THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University football team returns home for the first time in a month as the Bulldogs welcome Bethune-Cookman on The Hill for a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Saturday. Kickoff against the Wildcats during the 2024 Homecoming game is set for 2:05 p.m.
 
Alabama A&M (2-3 overall, 0-1 SWAC) is riding a three-game losing streak after back-to-back wins over Kentucky State and Georgetown earlier this season. The Bulldogs nearly rallied from a 28-point deficit in the Gulf Coast Challenge, falling 45-38 to Jackson State. Alabama A&M trailed 38-10 at the break, but caught fire in the second half. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs amassed nearly 500 total yards and held the ball for almost 40 minutes.
 
Bethune-Cookman (0-5, 0-1) is searching for its first win and comes into the game riding a six-game losing streak, dating back to the end of the 2023 season. The Wildcats were off last week and enter off a 26-21 loss at home on Sept. 28. BCU trailed 10-0 after one quarter and 13-7 at the break. The Wildcats nearly climbed all the way, scoring 14 fourth-quarter points in falling short.
 
The game will be streamed live on HBCU GO as Charlie Neal (play-by-play), John Kelley (analyst) and Lawrencia Moton (sideline) will have the call. In addition, fans can tune into WJAB 90.9 FM as Ted Dixie (play-by-play) and Reggie Benson (analyst) will call all the action.
 
Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor said the team played well in the second half against Jackson State, but the emphasis is wanting to see his team play all four quarters.
 
"If we can get out our own way and stop kicking our own butt, then we can start kicking the other team's butt and that's what happened in the first half," Maynor said. "We were in our own way. Defensively we gave up big plays, missing tackles, penalties. Offensively we turned the ball over twice. We only had the ball five times and turned it over twice. We scored on two of the three other possessions.
 
"Once we stopped kicking our own butt, we could focus on kicking their butt and that is what we did in the second half. Not taking anything away from them (Jackson State). They played a great first half, but we played more like our brand of Bulldog football in the second half. Defensively we only gave up one score and offensively we scored 28 points. We need to do that from quarter one and not wait until the second half, not get down by 21 points and try to make a miracle comeback. We've got to play all four quarters."
 

A LOOK INSIDE THE GAME ALABAMA A&M [2-3, 0-1 SWAC] vs. BETHUNE-COOKMAN [0-5, 0-1 SWAC]
Date / Time	Saturday, October 12 | 2:00 p.m. | Gameday
Location / Stadium	Huntsville, Alabama | Louis Crews Stadium
Tickets	Purchase Tickets Here
Game Program	Game 6 Program
Gameday Flipcard	Flipcard
Gameday Fan Information	Important Information About the Game
Game Theme	Homecoming - Battle on the 50
TV / Streaming	HBCU GO
Radio	90.9 FM [WJAB]
Live Stats	aamusports.com or click here
Alabama A&M	Game Notes
Bethune-Cookman	Game Notes
All-Time Series	Bethune-Cookman leads, 11-6
First Meeting	Bethune-Cookman 22, Alabama A&M 8 [1965]
Last Meeting	Bethune-Cookman 31, Alabama A&M 14 [11.11.23]
Social Media	Twitter-X // Facebook // Instagram

 
LAST MEETING
Alabama A&M made the trip to Daytona Beach, Fla. for an early kickoff against Bethune-Cookman and got off to a great start as Cameron Young hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass and Xavier Lankford scored on a 2-yard keeper as the Bulldogs led 14-0 with 14:56 remaining in the first half.
 
However, that would be the final time AAMU scored as Bethune-Cookman reeled off 31 unanswered points in a 31-14 victory.
 
The Wildcats, on the strength of 412 rushing yards, trailed 14-7 at the half and 14-10 after three quarters. Bethune-Cookman exploded for 21 points in the final period to pick up the conference win.
 
ABOUT THE GAME

• This will be the 18^th meeting between the two programs
• The two teams went 42 years (1979-2021) without meeting
• Bethune-Cookman won the 2023 contest, 31-14, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
• Saturday's game marks Homecoming on The Hill and the first of three games produced by HBCU GO
• Both teams are seeking their first conference win of the season
• Both teams are entering off losing streaks – Bethune-Cookman (six games, dating back to 2023) and Alabama A&M (three games)

 
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS

• Alabama A&M is seeking its first SWAC win of the season
• AAMU is riding a three-game losing streak after wins over Kentucky State and Georgetown
• Alabama A&M nearly rallied from a 28-point halftime deficit before falling to Jackson State, 45-38, in the Gulf Coast Challenge last week
• The Bulldogs have not dropped a home game since Nov. 4 against Florida A&M (42-28) and are 7-2 at Louis Crews Stadium since the 2022 season
• Running back Donovan Eaglin needs just 22 yards to eclipse 2,000 yards at Alabama A&M
• The Bulldogs have split time with three quarterbacks – Cornelious Brown IV, Aveon Smith and Xavier Lankford
• All three quarterbacks have started at least one game this season
• The Bulldogs are sixth in the FCS in time of possession
• Individually, Jordan Milton is third nationally in fumbles recovered, while Delvon Gulley is eighth in interceptions per game

 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – BETHUNE-COOKMAN

• The Wildcats are searching for their first win of the season
• Bethune-Cookman was off last week after falling 26-21 to Alabama State on Sept. 28
• BCU's offense is averaging 18.8 points per game, scoring a combined five points in losses to South Florida and Mercer
• The Wildcats nearly picked up their first win on Sept. 21, but a 55-yard field goal as time expired gave Clark Atlanta a 38-37 win
• Bethune-Cookman, in five games, has rushed for under 100 yards in three games
• The Wildcats are ranked first in blocked punts allowed, sixth in kickoff return defense and sixth in team sacks nationally
• Darnell Deas is tops in the country in kickoff return touchdowns, fourth in kickoff returns and eighth in combined kick returns

 
SERIES HISTORY 

• Alabama A&M and Bethune-Cookman will be meeting for the 18^th time
• The Wildcats hold the all-time series lead, 11-6
• AAMU will be looking to avenge last season's loss in Daytona Beach, Fla.
• The Bulldogs have won four out of the past five in the series

 
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

• Alabama A&M needs to protect the line of scrimmage
• AAMU needs to win the turnover battle
• The Bulldogs must avoid committing a ton of penalties 

 
LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT'S NEXT

• Alabama A&M takes a week off before meeting rival Alabama State in the 82^nd edition of the Magic City Classic
• The Hornets will be in action on Saturday at home against Mississippi Valley State, before taking a week off to prepare for the annual rivalry game
• The Bulldogs own the all-time series, 43-36-3 over ASU
• The Hornets have won the previous two meetings
• Alabama A&M is 13-4 in games decided by three points or less in the series and 21-19 in games decided by seven points or less
• The Bulldogs have outscored the Hornets in the series, 1,479-1,450

 
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