THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University football team will look to run its winning streak to four games as the Bulldogs open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on the road, visiting Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Central) from Daytona Stadium.
 
Saturday's game will mark the 21^st time meeting as Bethune-Cookman owns an 12-7-1 record in the series, which begin in 1965.
 
Alabama A&M (3-1) enters the road contest riding a three-game winning streak after opening the season with a loss at Arkansas. Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman (1-3) snapped a six-game losing streak, dating back to the end of 2024, with a victory over Edward Waters last weekend.
 
"Last week I felt like the defense did a great job by getting two safeties in the first quarter and holding Lane to less than 150 total yards," Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade said. "They (Bethune-Cookman) are a really good offensive team. They are very balanced on offense, and we've got our work cut out for us defensively going up against this offense."
 
The game will air live on SWAC TV as Kenny Schierlinger (play-by-play) and Davion Belk (analyst) will have the call, and fans can tune into WJAB (90.9 FM) as Thai Floyd (play-by-play), Maurice Brooks (analyst), Evan Hayes (pregame and postgame) and Chauncy Sanders (pregame and postgame) will bring you all the action.
 
ABOUT THE GAME

• Saturday's game marks the SWAC opener for both teams
• Alabama A&M is riding a three-game winning streak after opening with a loss at Arkansas
• Bethune-Cookman will look to string back-to-back victories for the first time since 2023 
• The Bulldogs have not won in Daytona Beach since 2021, a 30-27 victory
• AAMU has won four out of its last five against BCU
• Fifteen Bulldog players will be returning to their home state - Florida
• Saturday's contest with Alabama A&M marks the 50^th game for Bethune-Cook­man football since joining the SWAC in 2021. The Cats are 10-39 in their first 49 since joining from the MEAC.
• B-CU has never won more than two conference games since making the switch over from the MEAC.

 
BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M is coming off a 49-7 home victory over Lane College last week
• The Bulldogs were less than six minutes away from completing a shutout as a pick six gave the Dragons their only points
• Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV sat out the last game and is listed as day to day 
• Backup Quarterback Eric Handley made his first career start last week versus Lane
• Kicker Victor Barbosa broke his own career high in the first quarter vs. Lane, booting a 47-yard field goal
• The Bulldog defense forced seven fumbles last weekend
• Alabama A&M has scored in the opening quarter in nine consecutive games 
• The Bulldogs are seeking their first 1-0 start in conference play since the 2021 season
• Alabama A&M remains fifth in the NCAA's Digital HBCU Power Rankings after the win over the Dragons

 
WILDCATS AT A GLANCE

• Bethune-Cookman snapped a season-opening three-game losing streak last weekend with a 35-9 victory over Edward Waters
• Maleek Huggins enjoyed a career day against Edward Waters in the home opener, setting a career-high in receiving yards (177) and career-long reception (82).
• Quarterback Cam'Ron Ransom played all but three snaps in the game after previously coming in in relief or exiting in favor of Timmy McClain in all three games prior
• Maleek Huggins was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week, while teammates Max Tulen and Khamani Robinson were selected Specialist and Newcomer of the Week, respectively
• The Wildcats will play eight games in the state of Florida in the 2025 season, the most in the Sunshine State in a single season since 2013
• Four of their next five games will be played in the friendly confines of Day­tona Stadium

 
SERIES HISTORY 

• Alabama A&M and Bethune-Cookman will meet for the 21st time
• The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 12-7-1
•  In the last 10 meetings, the series is tied at 5
• The Bulldogs and Wildcats met last season, with AAMU rolling to a 56-12 homecoming victory in Huntsville

 
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

• It's the first Saturday in October, which can mean only one thing – The Gulf Coast Challenge
• This will be the 31^st meeting in the series, which began in 1948
• AAMU is 12-18 in the all-time series
• Jackson State is riding a four-game winning streak in the series
• Alabama A&M's last victory came during the Spring 2021 season, a 52-43 win in Jackson, Miss.

 
PURCHASE TICKETS

• With the 2025 Homecoming Game right around the corner, now is the time to purchase tickets. Get your tickets today to guarantee your seat to the biggest day on The Hill. To purchase tickets, visit aamusports.com or call the ticket office at: 256.372.7255 or 256.372.7254.

 
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville's only Division I program - check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).