THE HILL | Alabama A&M University freshman running back Byron Perrilliat has been named the FCS National Freshman Player of the Week after delivering a career performance in the Bulldogs' 40-21 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory over Florida A&M on Saturday.
 
Perrilliat rushed for a career-high 223 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries, averaging 13.9 yards per attempt as Alabama A&M pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure its SWAC opener.
 
With the Bulldogs holding a 23-21 advantage after Florida A&M had trimmed the deficit to two points, Perrilliat helped put the game away with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown runs.
 
The freshman broke loose for a 15-yard touchdown to extend the Alabama A&M advantage before adding a 22-yard scoring run later in the quarter, helping the Bulldogs finish the game with 17 unanswered points.
 
Perrilliat's 223 rushing yards marked the most by an Alabama A&M player since 2019 and represented one of the top rushing performances by a Bulldog in recent seasons.
 
The Jefferson, La. native continues an impressive start to his collegiate career and provided a major spark for an Alabama A&M offense that produced 40 points in the conference-opening victory.
 
Alabama A&M will look to end a five-game losing streak to Jackson State on Saturday in the annual Gulf Coast Challenge. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for 4 p.m. from Ladd-Peebles Stadium and streamed 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).