THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University football team finally returns to action after an unexpected week off as the Bulldogs open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play against rival Jackson State in the annual Gulf Coast Challenge on Saturday afternoon at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for 4 p.m.
 
Alabama A&M (2-2 overall, 0-0 SWAC) had an unexpected week off after the conference opener last weekend at Florida A&M was postponed due to Hurricane Helene. The break gave the Bulldogs an opportunity to hit the reset button ahead of two SWAC East matchups, first this weekend against Jackson State, followed by a Homecoming tilt at home against Bethune-Cookman. Alabama A&M is seeking its first win over Jackson State since the Spring of 2021 and first victory in the Gulf Coast Challenge over JSU.
 
Jackson State (3-2, 1-0) racked up 441 total yards, with 256 coming on the ground as the Tigers rolled past Jackson State, 43-14 in the conference opener last week. Running back Jacobian Morgan carried the ball just 10 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns in becoming the SWAC's Co-Offensive Player of the Week. In addition, Travis Terrell Jr. also earned weekly conference honors in returning three kickoffs for 126 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown return to seal a 43-14 win. Defensively, the Tigers had four sacks, one forced fumble and one interception.
 
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ as Santoria Black (play-by-play) and Ken Moore (analyst) have the call. In addition, fans can tune into WJAB 90.9 FM as Ted Dixie (play-by-play) and Brian Howard (analyst) will call all the action.
 
Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor said the Gulf Coast Challenge presents an opportunity for the team to experience an atmosphere similar to a bowl game.
 
"The Gulf Coast Challenge is a great classic game," Maynor said. "I think this is the seventh year and we've been in it every year. It's a great opportunity for our guys to travel to Mobile. It's a challenge for us, like a bowl game. So, this gives our guys an opportunity to experience bowl atmosphere.
 
"Jackson State is a very good team. T.C. Taylor is doing a tremendous job. Their offense is spread out and they play two quarterbacks. We've got to be ready for both of them and they've also got some dangerous receivers. On defense, they fly around. They are big, fast and strong up front and got some good secondary guys. We've got to be ready to make some plays in the passing game and see if we can muster up our running game in some kind of way."
 

A LOOK INSIDE THE GAME ALABAMA A&M [2-2, 0-0 SWAC] vs. JACKSON STATE [3-2, 1-0 SWAC]
Event	Gulf Coast Challenge
Date / Time	Saturday, October 5 | 4:00 p.m. | Gameday
Location / Stadium	Mobile, Alabama | Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Tickets	Purchase Tickets Here
TV / Streaming	ESPN+
Radio	90.9 FM [WJAB]
Live Stats	aamusports.com or click here
Alabama A&M	Game Notes
Jackson State	Game Notes
All-Time Series	Jackson State leads, 17-10
First Meeeting	Alabama A&M 12, Jackson State 6 [1948]
Last Meeting	Jackson State 45, Alabama A&M 30 [10.7.23]
Social Media	Twitter-X // Facebook // Instagram

LAST MEETING
In the 2023 version of the Gulf Coast Challenge, Jackson State, which took advantage of three interceptions, jumped out to a 21-0 lead nearly eight minutes into the game and led 35-7 at the half.
 
Alabama A&M got third-quarter touchdowns by Cameron Young and Xavier Lankford, cutting the deficit to 38-22 late in the third quarter before a Seven McGee 15-yard touchdown pass early in the final quarter pushed the advantage to 35-22.
 
The Bulldogs got one final score but could not complete the comeback.
 
ABOUT THE GAME

• This will be the 28^th meeting between the two programs and third straight in the annual Gulf Coast Challenge
• Alabama A&M is seeking its first win over Jackson State since Spring of 2021
• Since the win in 2021, the Bulldogs have dropped three straight, including the past two over JSU in the Gulf Coast Challenge
• Alabama A&M is searching for its first win over Jackson State in the Gulf Coast Challenge
• This is the conference opener for the Bulldogs after Hurricane Helene postponed the game last week at Florida A&M

 
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS

• Alabama A&M returns to action after an unexpected open week
• The Bulldogs are seeking their first neutral-site victory since Oct. 30, 2021, a 42-28 win over Alabama State in the Magic City Classic
• AAMU has dropped its last four neutral site contests since 2021
• The Bulldogs have split time with three quarterbacks – Cornelious Brown IV, Aveon Smith and Xavier Lankford
• Cornelious Brown IV has started in three of the four games this season
• The Bulldogs are tops in the FCS in 4^th down conversion percentage defense and 15^th in passing offense
• Individually, Cornelious Brown IV ranks 13^th in the country in passing yards per completion

 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – JACKSON STATE

• The Tigers enter the matchup having won three out of their last four games
• Jackson State began conference play last week with a 43-14 thumping of Texas Southern
• JSU led 13-0 at the half over Texas Southern before exploding for 30 second-half points
• The Tiger defense held TSU to just 223 total yards, with 108 coming on the ground
• JSU will have a week off after the game with AAMU before playing host to Florida A&M in a SWAC East matchup
• The Tigers are ranked first in blocked punts, second in blocked kicks, second in red zone offense, seventh in team sacks and seventh in total defense in the country
• Travis Terrell Jr. ranks third in the FCS in kickoff return touchdowns and kickoff returns

 
SERIES HISTORY 

• Alabama A&M and Jackson State will be meeting for the 28^th time
• The Tigers hold the all-time series lead, 17-10
• AAMU will be searching for its first win over JSU since Spring of 2021 (52-43)
• Jackson State has won three straight 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 returns home after nearly a month for its 2024 homecoming game against Bethune-Cookman
• The Bulldogs and Wildcats will be meeting for the 18^th time
• Bethune-Cookman holds the all-time series lead, 11-6
• The Wildcats are off this week, searching for their first win of the season

 
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