Category: SWAC

Reggie Barlow Says HBCUs Should Get at Least $1 Million for “Money Games”

Brandon King

Image via the Nashville Post The beginning of the college football season is rife with lopsided matchups that end in blowouts as schools bludgeon overmatched, lower tiered opponents.  Many times HBCUs are often fodder in these games, as the financial constraints the schools are already saddled with necessitate they are a piñata in these gridiron beatdowns in order to garner the payouts that can largely fund their athletics.  Even other HBCU’s are not immune to to being punching bags for their higher division counterparts as there are several of these…

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BREAKING: FAMU Starting QB Isaiah Knowles Out for Season

Brandon King

Florida A&M will be without starting quarterback Isaiah Knowles for the remainder of the 2026 season. Knowles, who was named the Rattlers’ starting quarterback ahead of the season, suffered an injury to his throwing hand during FAMU’s Orange Blossom Classic matchup against South Carolina State. The redshirt senior transferred to FAMU from Albany State and entered the season as one of the key pieces of the Rattlers’ new-look offense. Knowles made his FAMU debut in Week 0, completing 14 of 23 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown. His season-ending…

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SWAC Receiving Leaders Through Week 1: Jackson State’s Nate Rembert Leads the Way

Brandon King

Image via Candice Ward The 2026 SWAC football season is officially underway, and several wide receivers wasted no time making their presence felt. After the first week of action, Jackson State has two players sitting atop the conference receiving leaderboard, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Southern, Grambling State, Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern and Alabama A&M are also represented among the SWAC’s top performers. Jackson State’s Nate Rembert currently owns the conference’s top receiving mark after recording seven receptions for 188 yards through two games. His teammate, Jabari Jones, isn’t far behind.…

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South Carolina State Defeats FAMU 31-13 in Orange Blossom Classic

Brandon King

Image via the Tallahassee Democrat MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — South Carolina State made a statement on one of HBCU football’s biggest stages Sunday, overpowering Florida A&M 31-13 in the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium. The No. 22 Bulldogs improved to 2-0 behind a dominant rushing attack and a defense that made life miserable for the Rattlers throughout the afternoon. South Carolina State finished with 479 total yards, including 292 on the ground, while limiting Florida A&M to just 161 total yards and minus-1 rushing yard. The Bulldogs also…

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Prairie View A&M Defeats Texas Southern 52-14 in Labor Day Classic

Brandon King

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas — Prairie View A&M scored 28 points in the third quarter and defeated Texas Southern 52-14 on Sunday at Panther Stadium in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams. The Panthers improved to 1-0 in SWAC play after losing 49-30 to No. 5 Tarleton State in their season opener. Texas Southern fell to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Prairie View led 17-7 at halftime before pulling away in the third quarter. Prairie View Pulls Away After Halftime Prairie View took an early lead when…

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Jackson State Mauls Edward Waters 66-14 in Dominant Home Opener

Brandon King

Image via Ayton Breckenridge/The Clarion Ledger JACKSON, Miss. — Jackson State put together a dominant performance in its 2026 home opener, overwhelming Edward Waters 66-14 Saturday night at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in the HOPE Labor Day Classic. The Tigers improved to 2-0 with the convincing victory after opening the season with a 26-24 comeback win over Tennessee State. Jackson State’s offense exploded against Edward Waters, while the defense consistently kept the visitors from finding a rhythm. The Tigers’ performance was particularly impressive considering how competitive their season opener had…

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Alcorn State Taken to the Woodshed by Southern Miss, 49-3

Brandon King

Alcorn State had a night to forget Saturday, as the Braves were dominated from start to finish in a 49-3 loss to Southern Miss. It was actually the Braves who drew first blood. After Elijah Ruffin intercepted an Ethan Hampton pass, Alcorn State turned the takeaway into three points on Kenyon Bowser’s 22-yard field goal, giving the Braves a 3-0 lead. Unfortunately for Alcorn State, that lead represented the high point of the afternoon for the Braves—and the closest the game would be—as Southern Miss scored the next 49 points.…

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Bethune-Cookman trounced 73-6 by Central Florida in season opener

Brandon King

ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF opened the 2026 season with a historic display of dominance Thursday night, overwhelming Bethune-Cookman 73-6 in one of the most lopsided results in the Knights’ recent history. The defeat marked a difficult season debut for the Wildcats, who struggled to match UCF’s pace on either side of the ball. UCF quickly amassed a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, setting the tone with an explosive start and maintaining control throughout the game. The Knight built a 38-0 lead at the break and despite the second half…

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Claudin Cherelus Makes Carolina Panthers’ 53-Man Roster, Keeps Alcorn State on the NFL Map

Brandon King

Former Alcorn State linebacker Claudin Cherelus has officially made the Carolina Panthers’ 53-man active roster, giving the SWAC another representative on an NFL roster heading into the 2026 season. Cherelus’ journey to this point is a testament to perseverance. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Cherelus signed with the New York Jets before being released during final roster cuts. Carolina claimed him off waivers shortly afterward, giving the Alcorn State product an opportunity to continue his NFL career. Now, three years later, Cherelus has established himself in Carolina.…

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2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Draws 1.2 Million Viewers, Becomes Second-Most-Watched in Event History

Brandon King

The 2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge continues to show the growing national audience for HBCU football. Howard University’s thrilling matchup against Alabama A&M averaged 1.2 million viewers on ABC, with the broadcast peaking at 1.7 million viewers. The impressive audience represents a 10% year-over-year increase and makes the 2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge the second-most-watched kickoff game in the event’s history. Howard ultimately delivered on the national stage, defeating Alabama A&M 31-24 in a dramatic finish at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. The matchup marked the opening of the 2026 HBCU football season and…

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