image via AAMU Athletics
Alabama A&M finally got Florida A&M off its back.
The Bulldogs scored the final 17 points of the game to pull away from the Rattlers, 40–21, Saturday night at Bragg Memorial Stadium, earning their first victory over FAMU since 1979. The win also gave Alabama A&M its first 1-0 start in SWAC play since 2021.
Alabama A&M improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in SWAC play, while Florida A&M dropped to 1-4 and 0-1.
The victory snapped Florida A&M’s five-game winning streak in the series. The Rattlers had won every meeting since the programs began facing each other as SWAC opponents in 2021.
How It Happened
Florida A&M struck first.
With 10:16 remaining in the first quarter, Armond Parker connected with Kieren Jackson for a 40-yard touchdown, giving the Rattlers an early 7-0 advantage.
Alabama A&M answered quickly. Cornelious Brown IV found Jarel Williams for a 19-yard touchdown with 8:25 left in the opening quarter to tie the game.
The Bulldogs then grabbed the lead when Brown connected with Jaylan Bean for a 13-yard touchdown with 1:02 remaining in the first quarter.
Brown and Bean struck again early in the second. This time, the connection covered 64 yards, pushing Alabama A&M’s advantage to 21-7 with 13:35 left before halftime.
FAMU responded with a touchdown of its own. Parker found Corey Petty for a 21-yard touchdown with 4:39 remaining in the half.
But the extra point was blocked by Nacari Johnson, who returned the ball for a defensive two-point conversion. Instead of cutting the deficit to 21-14, FAMU trailed 23-13.
Neither team scored again before halftime.
FAMU Makes It a Two-Point Game
Florida A&M came out of halftime and made the game interesting.
After a 55-yard drive, Parker found Lawrence Wright IV for a 1-yard touchdown with 5:19 left in the third quarter. Petty then completed the two-point conversion to bring the Rattlers within 23–21.
That would be as close as FAMU would get.
Alabama A&M immediately answered in the fourth quarter.
Byron Perrilliat Takes Over
With 13:13 remaining, Byron Perrilliat broke through for a 15-yard touchdown run, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 30-21.
Then the Alabama A&M defense created another opportunity.
Jayln Chambers intercepted Parker and returned the ball to the FAMU 40-yard line. Perrilliat finished the ensuing drive with a 22-yard touchdown run, putting Alabama A&M ahead 37-21 with 9:51 remaining.
David Faulk’s 26-yard field goal with 4:17 left completed the scoring and put the Bulldogs ahead 40-21.
By the Numbers
Alabama A&M finished with 490 total yards, including 283 rushing yards, and recorded 29 first downs.
- Byron Perrilliat: 16 carries, 223 yards, 2 TD
- Cornelious Brown IV: 18-of-26, 198 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
- Jaylan Bean: 5 catches, 93 yards, 2 TD
- Jarel Williams: 3 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD
- D.J. Barber: 14 total tackles
- Nacarri Johnson: blocked PAT returned for 2 points
Florida A&M was held to just 173 total yards, including 171 passing yards. Parker finished 16-of-26 for 168 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
A Win 47 Years in the Making
Saturday marked the 16th meeting between Alabama A&M and Florida A&M. The Bulldogs improved to 3-13 all-time against the Rattlers and picked up their first victory in the series since a 19-14 win in 1979.
It was also Alabama A&M’s first win over FAMU since the Rattlers joined the SWAC, making the 40-21 result a significant piece of the Bulldogs’ 2026 season.
Scoring Plays
| Quarter | Time | Team | Scoring Play | Score |
| 1st | 10:16 | FAMU | Kieren Jackson 40-yard TD reception from Armond Parker | FAMU 7-0 |
| 1st | 8:25 | Alabama A&M | Jarel Williams 19-yard TD reception from Cornelious Brown IV | 7-7 |
| 1st | 1:02 | Alabama A&M | Jaylan Bean 13-yard TD reception from Brown | AAMU 14-7 |
| 2nd | 13:35 | Alabama A&M | Jaylan Bean 64-yard TD reception from Brown | AAMU 21-7 |
| 2nd | 4:39 | FAMU | Corey Petty 21-yard TD reception from Parker; blocked PAT returned for 2 by Nacari Johnson | AAMU 23-13 |
| 3rd | 5:19 | FAMU | Lawrence Wright IV 1-yard TD reception from Parker; 2-point conversion | AAMU 23-21 |
| 4th | 13:13 | Alabama A&M | Byron Perrilliat 15-yard rushing TD | AAMU 30-21 |
| 4th | 9:51 | Alabama A&M | Byron Perrilliat 22-yard rushing TD | AAMU 37-21 |
| 4th | 4:17 | Alabama A&M | David Faulk 26-yard field goal | AAMU 40-21 |
Next up: Alabama A&M faces Jackson State on Oct. 3 in the Gulf Coast Challenge at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT, with the game streaming on SWAC TV. FAMU heads to Montgomery to take on Alabama State. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 PM CST and will air on HBCU GO.
