Alabama A&M Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University football team held off a late Alabama State rally to snap a four-game losing streak against its rival with a 31-28 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory in the 85th Amazon Magic City Classic on Saturday at Legion Field.
 
Alabama A&M (7-2 overall, 4-1 SWAC) built a 14-point lead in the first half and withstood a fourth-quarter push by Alabama State (4-4, 2-3). The Bulldogs sealed the victory with a defensive stop after the Hornets regained possession with 1:37 remaining.
 
After forcing a punt on Alabama State's opening possession, the Bulldogs took over at their own 6-yard line and marched 94 yards in 12 plays. Cornelious Brown IV completed 6 of 7 passes on the drive, capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jaylan Bean for a 7-0 lead with 5:07 remaining in the first quarter.
 
AAMU stretched its advantage to 14-0 four seconds into the second quarter when Brown connected with Imani Conley for a 7-yard touchdown to finish a 10-play, 88-yard drive.
 
The Bulldogs threatened to extend the lead to three scores but were stopped on fourth-and-goal at the ASU 2.
 
The Hornets responded with a 14-play, 98-yard drive, capped by Jareese Howard's untouched 17-yard touchdown run on fourth down. The score trimmed AAMU's lead to 14-7 with four minutes remaining in the half.
 
Following an AAMU punt, Alabama State drove to the Bulldogs' 29. Diwonne Williams blocked Andrew Abu-Akel's 41-yard field goal attempt to preserve the 14-7 lead heading into halftime.
 
AAMU converted a Howard fumble into three points in the third quarter. After the Bulldogs drove to the ASU 11, David Faulk connected on a 29-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-7 with just over 11 minutes remaining.
 
Alabama State answered with a drive highlighted by Aaron Frye's 32-yard completion to Randall King. Jamarie Hostzclaw finished the possession with a 4-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 17-14 with 6:22 left in the third quarter.
 
Brown scored on a 9-yard keeper on AAMU's ensuing possession, pushing the lead to 24-14 with 13:54 remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
Howard's 2-yard touchdown run brought the Hornets within 24-21 with just over 10 minutes to play.
 
After AAMU forced a punt, Kolton Nero provided the spark on a drive that began at the Bulldogs' 35. Nero broke free for 61 yards before scoring on a 4-yard run to help extend the lead to 31-21 with 3:47 remaining.
 
Alabama State responded immediately as DJ Hicks returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards to the AAMU 6. Two plays later, Howard scored on a 3-yard run to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 31-28 with 3:01 left.
 
The Hornets forced a punt and regained possession with 1:37 remaining, but the Bulldogs' defense held firm to secure the victory.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Alabama A&M finished with 420 total yards, including 216 passing and 204 rushing
• The Bulldogs racked up 25 first downs
• Cornelious Brown IV completed 22 of 35 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns
• Kolton Nero rushed six times for 81 yards and one touchdown
• Jaylan Bean caught five passes for 64 yards and one touchdown
• DJ Barber led the Bulldogs with 13 tackles
• Alabama State finished with 344 total yards, including 186 rushing
• The Hornets recorded 18 first downs
• Aaron Frye completed 14 of 21 passes for 158 yards and one interception
• Frye also rushed 18 times for 90 yards
• Randall King caught five passes for 88 yards
• Mitchell Robinson had 10 tackles, including four solo stops

 
 
NEWS AND NOTES

• Alabama A&M and Alabama State met for the 91st time
• The Bulldogs improved to 45-43-3 all-time against the Hornets
• The victory snapped AAMU's four-game losing streak against Alabama State
• The Bulldogs also snapped a 10-game losing streak at neutral sites
• AAMU is receiving votes in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll
• The Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in the Black College Football Poll
• AAMU has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 10 consecutive games, dating to the end of the 2025 season
• The Bulldogs improved to 14-4 in games decided by three points or less in the series
• The Bulldogs wore white helmets for the first time since their SWAC opener against Florida A&M after wearing maroon helmets in three consecutive games
• Brown appeared in his 52nd career game and his 25th with Alabama A&M
• Brown completed 6 of 7 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown on AAMU's opening drive
• Brown was named the Magic City Classic Offensive MVP, while DJ Barber was selected the Defensive MVP
• AAMU head coach Sam Shade earned his 50th career victory

 
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M travels to defending SWAC champion Prairie View A&M next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Panther Stadium, with the game streaming on SWAC TV.
 
 
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics — the Rocket City's only Division I program — visit www.aamusports.com. Follow the Bulldogs on Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), X (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).
  Read Full Article