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HBCU Football Week 5 Roundup: Jackson State keeps the Good Times Rolling
Here is a brief recap of key games in week 5 of the 2025 Black College Football season.
JaCobian Morgan Shines with 5 Total Touchdowns as Jackson State Dominates Alabama A&M 57-24
Quarterback JaCobian Morgan delivered a stellar performance, throwing four touchdown passes and running for another to lead Jackson State to a commanding 57-24 victory over Alabama A&M on Saturday night.
Morgan completed 21 of 30 passes for 314 yards and added 120 rushing yards on 12 carries in a dual-threat showcase. Shemar Savage and Ja’Naylon Dupree each caught two of Morgan’s touchdown passes, while Travis Terrell Jr. contributed 103 rushing yards on just seven carries as the Tigers racked up 388 yards on the ground. Savage finished with 91 receiving yards and two scores.
For Alabama A&M (3–3, 0–2 SWAC), Cornelius Brown IV went 26-of-39 for 341 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. Daveon Walker led all receivers with nine catches for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Franck Pierre added another score.
Alabama State Rolls Past Bethune-Cookman 52–35 in Homecoming Victory
Alabama State University celebrated Homecoming in style, defeating Bethune-Cookman 52–35 before a lively crowd of 24,736 at ASU Stadium.
The Hornets (4–1, 2–0 SWAC) displayed a balanced offensive attack, amassing 559 total yards with five different players scoring on the ground. Quarterback Andrew Body led the charge, completing 11-of-16 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 95 rushing yards. Karl Ligon powered through for 59 yards and two scores, and Jahbari Kuykendall, Marcus Harris II, and Jamarie Hostzclaw each added rushing touchdowns.
Monmouth Outlasts Delaware State 49–38 Behind Derek Robertson’s 4 TDs
Derek Robertson threw for 351 yards and four touchdowns, while Rodney Nelson rushed for 203 yards and two scores as Monmouth defeated DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State 49–38 on Saturday.
Delaware State (3–3) was paced by Marquis Gillis, who rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown, and James Jones, who punched in three short-yardage scores.
Texas Southern Crushes Arkansas-Pine Bluff 51–7
Roriyon Richardson caught two touchdowns and Donovan Jones added a special teams score as Texas Southern dominated Arkansas-Pine Bluff, winning 51–7 on Saturday night.
The Tigers piled up 557 total yards, including 350 rushing and 207 passing. Richardson had a career night with seven receptions for 103 yards and two TDs, while Cooper completed 16-of-23 passes for 197 yards and two scores. Athean Renfro rushed for 133 yards, and Isaiah Bogerty anchored the defense with seven tackles.
Webb’s 44-Yard Field Goal Lifts Prairie View A&M Over Alcorn State 13–12
A clutch 44-yard field goal by Webb with 14:54 left sealed a narrow 13–12 win for Prairie View A&M over Alcorn State on Saturday at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.
The Panthers (4–2, 3–0 SWAC) controlled the clock with a balanced ground attack. Cameron Peters led the way with 66 rushing yards, while Lamagea McDowell added 51 yards. Jyzaiah Rockwell was the top target with seven receptions for 45 yards.
Hampton Tops Norfolk State 41–34 in Battle of the Bay
Braden Davis threw for one touchdown and ran for another as Hampton held off Norfolk State 41–34 in the annual Battle of the Bay.
Davis finished with 202 passing yards, 64 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns. Gracen Goldsmith contributed 75 rushing yards and a score, while X’Zavion Evans tallied 93 yards for the Spartans. Kuhns completed 15-of-26 passes for 242 yards and three TDs in the losing effort.
Eastern Illinois Downs Tennessee State 31–7
Connor Wolf threw for two touchdowns, and backup QB Cole LaCrue added two short rushing scores to power Eastern Illinois past Tennessee State 31–7.
For the Tigers (1–4, 0–2), Byron McNair threw for 205 yards with one touchdown and one interception as their losing streak extended to four.
Georgetown Stuns Morgan State with Last-Second Hail Mary
Dez Thomas II connected with Jimmy Kibble on a 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown as time expired, giving Georgetown a dramatic 27–24 victory over Morgan State.
The Bears had surged ahead 24–21 after Dante Archie’s 28-yard TD pass to Justin Perry late in the third quarter, but they were unable to convert on a key fourth down with 32 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Thomas’ game-winning throw.
Upcoming HBCU Matchups
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South Carolina State vs. North Carolina A&T – 1:00 p.m., Truist Stadium, Greensboro
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North Carolina Central vs. Florida A&M – 3:00 p.m., Bragg Stadium, Tallahassee
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Mississippi Valley State vs. Alabama A&M – 3:00 p.m., Lewis Crews Stadium, Huntsville
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Southern vs. Bethune-Cookman – 3:00 p.m., Daytona Stadium, Daytona Beach
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Alabama State vs. Jackson State – 3:30 p.m., Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson
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Texas Southern vs. Grambling – 7:00 p.m., Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium, Grambling
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FAMU Shooting Arrest, New Trump and ICE Activity Near Florida Polling Site 📱
A teen is arrested in the FAMU shooting, while voter intimidation concerns rise in Florida. Join us for the latest on these headlines and more on the Morning Show.
A 16-year-old has been arrested in connection with the FAMU homecoming shooting. Meanwhile, a new report from House Judiciary Democrats raises allegations involving Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, including accusations of sexual assault.
Plus, residents in Key Largo, Florida, are raising concerns about voter intimidation after masked ICE agents reportedly made an arrest outside a polling location.
We’re also covering Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch’s upcoming retirement and reports that some Catholic leaders regret participating in a White House prayer meeting with President Trump.
Join us on Black Press USA’s Morning Show as we break down the headlines, the controversy, and the stories shaping the national conversation.
Watch Monday–Friday | 8–9 AM ET
#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #BlackNews #FAMU #EpsteinFiles #VotingRights #ICE #LonnieBunch
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FAMU Shooting Arrest, New Trump and ICE Activity Near Florida Polling Site
Catch up on today’s headlines, from the FAMU shooting arrest to voter intimidation concerns in Florida. Join Black Press USA for the full morning breakdown.
A 16-year-old has been arrested in connection with the FAMU homecoming shooting. Meanwhile, a new report from House Judiciary Democrats raises allegations involving Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, including accusations of sexual assault.
Plus, residents in Key Largo, Florida, are raising concerns about voter intimidation after masked ICE agents reportedly made an arrest outside a polling location.
We’re also covering Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch’s upcoming retirement and reports that some Catholic leaders regret participating in a White House prayer meeting with President Trump.
Join us on Black Press USA’s Morning Show as we break down the headlines, the controversy, and the stories shaping the national conversation.
Watch Monday–Friday | 8–9 AM ET
#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #BlackNews #FAMU #EpsteinFiles #VotingRights #ICE #LonnieBunch
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Houston Screenwriter Shannan E. Johnson on Making It in Hollywood
Screenwriter Shannan E. Johnson shares insider advice on how to navigate Hollywood, build an audience, and master the business side of professional screenwriting.
Houston native Shannan E. Johnson, screenwriter, former TV executive and founder of The Professional Pen, shares her advice for anyone trying to break into Hollywood in an interview with The Defender.
Johnson, who grew up in Scenic Woods and worked as a creative executive at NBCUniversal’s Syfy before founding her script consultancy, explains why today’s writers have to wear every hat, from producer to manager, and how building your own audience gives you more control over where your work lands.
In this video, you’ll hear about:
• Why the real power in Hollywood sits in the executive suite
• Wearing every hat as a writer, and why you still need a lawyer
• Learning the business from the set and the office
• Planning where your script will land before you write it
• Building an audience you own
• Finding another way through the door
Chapters
0:00 Meet Shannan E. Johnson
0:17 Where the power is in Hollywood
0:31 Tip 1: Wear every hat
0:46 Tip 2: Start on set
1:03 Tip 3: Know where your script will land
1:14 Tip 4: Build an audience you own
1:27 Tip 5: Find another way through the door
Read Laura Onyeneho’s full profile, “Shannan E. Johnson: Screenwriter charts her own Hollywood path,” on defendernetwork.com.
Subscribe to The Defender for more exclusive interviews, local news, and community coverage.
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#ShannanEJohnson #TheProfessionalPen #Screenwriting #Hollywood #BlackFilmmakers #Houston #TheDefender
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Beyond the green: mentorship programs for students are redefining golf. By spotlighting diverse influencers and focusing on mental health and scholarships, the next generation is discovering new paths to success. #GolfMentorship #YouthDevelopment #ScholarshipOpportunities #GolfCulture #StudentSuccess
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🗳️✊🏾 Our freedoms are on the line, and this election matters! Dr. Warren emphasizes the importance of staying informed, standing together, and protecting the rights we’ve fought so hard for. Catch up on last week’s From the Desk of the Editor episode here!
#YourVoteMatters #ProtectOurFreedoms #Election2026 #VoiceAndViewpoint
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From live chat rooms to the studio, discover how three superfans turned their passion for Gopher sports into a podcast. Go behind the mic with our origin story!
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