SWAC Week 3 Full Report
Jackson State Rolls with a Shutout
Jackson State dominated Tuskegee, 30-0, behind strong passing and a swarming defense. The Tigers established control early and never let up, blanking their opponent and imposing their will in all three phases.
Alabama A&M Edges Tennessee State in a Nailbiter
In one of the closest games of the week, Alabama A&M escaped with a 23-21 win over Tennessee State. Cornelious Brown IV threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns, and timely defensive plays and special teams made the difference in the waning minutes.
Alabama State Controls Miles College
Alabama State took command in their matchup with Miles College, winning 37-9. The Hornets boasted a balanced offensive attack — mixing rushes and passes — while holding Miles to limited scoring chances throughout.
Alcorn State Struggles vs. FBS Powerhouse
Alcorn State was overwhelmed by Mississippi State in a 63-0 drubbing. Facing a Power Five opponent, the Braves were unable to generate offense and were shut down by a superior team all game long.
South Carolina State Outguns Bethune-Cookman in Shootout
Scoring came easy this week for South Carolina State, who defeated Bethune-Cookman 55-41. Both offenses moved the football, but SC State made more plays in the red zone and kept momentum when the game seemed balanced.
Grambling Survives Overtime Test vs. Kentucky State
Grambling needed extra time to get past Kentucky State, edging them 37-31 in OT. Quarterback C. Teasett’s dual-threat ability was a key factor, especially when both teams traded punches in regulation.
Rice Pounds Prairie View A&M
Rice handled Prairie View A&M with a 38-17 win. The Panthers struggled defensively, particularly in stopping the run, giving up chunks of yardage in the second half that allowed the Owls to pull away.
Southeastern Louisiana Runs Away from Mississippi Valley State
Southeastern Louisiana handed Mississippi Valley State a severe loss, 56-3. The Lions dominated in all phases — offensively efficient, defensively sound — showing exactly why they were the heavy favorites.
Lamar Bounces Texas Southern
Lamar defeated Texas Southern 31-7, with special teams (including blocked punts) contributing heavily. The Cardinals took control early and did not let up, both offensively and on defense.
Florida A&M Holds On Against Albany State
Florida A&M eked out a 33-25 win over Albany State. The Rattlers’ offense, led by R. Johnson III, was good enough in the passing game to pull ahead, while the defense made enough stops down the stretch to preserve the win.
Southern Overwhelmed by Fresno State
Southern’s non-conference matchup turned into a rout, as Fresno State rolled to a 56-7 victory. The gap in talent and execution was evident, and Southern will have to adjust quickly as tougher SWAC opponents loom.
Takeaways Heading Into Conference Play
- Tight wins & overtime games (Alabama A&M, Grambling) show that even early in the season, SWAC teams are evenly matched in many contests.
- Big losses vs FBS opponents (Alcorn State, Southern) highlight where depth, recruiting, and experience still matter.
- Explosive offenses & red-zone efficiency are separating winners from losers, especially in shootouts (SC State vs Bethune-Cookman).
- Momentum will matter: Teams with solid non-conference performances carry confidence into conference play; those with blowout losses have work to do.
