The SWAC-MEAC challenge marks the beginning of HBCU football season, and with huctuating levels of cooperation from mother nature, Alabama State and Howard took part in the 2022 iteration of the interconference matchup.
Howard got the scoring started. Ending a balanced, 12-play drive drive that ended in 33-yard fredd quad to put the Bison up 3-0. The drive looked to poised to in a touchdown but missed throws from Howard QB Quintin Williams stalled the offense.
Following an Alabama State punt, Howard ‘s offense was on the move again, but Williams was intercepted by Adrian Mattox. A weather delay paused the proceedings in the midst of the subsequent Hornet drive right before a critical 4th down play. Once play resumed, Ja’ Won Howell got in from 3-yards out; a batched snap on the extra point left the score at 6-3.
Alabama State extended their lead to ten points early in the second quarter, when auburn transfer qb Dee Davis connected with Isaiah Scott from eleven yards out to put them up 13-3.
Howard’s next score came at the end of an 18-plays 72 yard drive via the second field goal off the foot of Dylan West to pall the Bison within seven points at 13-6.
Late in the second quarter a blocked punt gave the ball to Howard deep in Alabama State territory, but the Bison could not capitalize on the opportunity as west badly shanked a 30-yard attempt, leaving the score a 13-6 heading into halftime.
Jacory Merritt ‘s relaxing 21-yard jog pushed the Alabama State advantage to 20-6.
Terrance Hollon intercepted a tipped Dee Davis pass and this time, Howard was able to convert the turnover into points 6 plays later when Jarrett Hunter scampered in from five yards out to make the score 20-13.
Alabama State responded by embarking on a 12-play, 63 yard drive that chewed 6:32 off the clock and ended with a Nathanial Eichner 29-yard field goal that pushed the lead back to ten points at 23-13.
The third weather delay of the evening ultimately resulted in the calling of the game with a little over two minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
Alabama State’s Dee Davis was named the SWAC-MEAC MVP , completing e7 of his 24 passes for 187 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Up next for Alabama State is a matchup next week with Miles College in the Labor Day Classic. Howard heads to Hampton, VA to take on former MEAC conference foe Hampton in the “Battle of the real HU.”
