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Howard stuns Alabama A&M in MEAC | SWAC Challenge

Published

1 month ago

September 1, 2026

ATLANTA — Ja’Shawn Scroggins threw for 315 yards and the game-winning touchdown pass as he led the Howard Bison past the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 31-24 in the 20th Annual MEAC | SWAC Challenge at Centre Parc Stadium. For head coach Ted White, it was his first win at the helm of his alma mater.

“It was a special moment for me,” acknowledged an emotional White at the postgame press conference. “It is something that I have always wanted, to come back to my alma mater and help the program. I had my wife, daughter, family members, college and high school teammates to come support me. It means a lot. It is something I will never forget.”

As for Scroggins, he accounted for 346 total yards and three touchdowns.

Scroggins showed his calm and leadership during a six-play, 83-yard drive that culminated in a perfectly executed 51-yard pass to Se’Quan Osborne with 2:41 remaining. The Bison went for the two-point conversion that was good on a Scroggins pass to Clark.

“On the drive for the win, we just executed what we had been working on,” Scroggins continued. “So, it was nothing special, just execution and belief in one another.”

For Alabama A&M, quarterback Cornelius Brown completed 25 of 41 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He added 33 rushing yards and another score. Maurice Edwards had 57 yards on seven carries, plus Imari Conley added 43 yards on his lone rushing attempt.

Alabama A&M will play the first of three straight home games next Saturday when Miles College visits Louis Crews Stadium for the 16th Annual Louis Crews Classic. Kickoff against the Golden Bears is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central Time. Meanwhile, Howard hosts the University of Richmond this Saturday at Greene Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m Eastern Time.

: Howard University Head Coach Ted White raises the trophy after winning the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Ja’shawn Scroggins celebrates after winning the MVP trophy during the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Ja’shawn Scroggins celebrates after winning the MVP trophy during the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Howard University Head Coach Ted White kisses his wife after winning the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Members of Howard University’s Showtime Marching Band perform during halftime at the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Members of Howard University’s Showtime Marching Band perform during halftime at the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Members of Howard University’s Showtime Marching Band perform during halftime at the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Jarel Williams #3 of Alabama A&M catches a touchdown pass during the first half of the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Ben Chandler IV breaks up a pass intended for Jordan Hudson-Smith during the first half of the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Members of the Alabama A&M Royal Court dance in the stands during the first half of the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Ja’shawn Scroggins attempts a pass during the first half of the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: Fans of Howard University dance in the stands during the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: A young Howard Bison fan dances in the stands during the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: The Howard Bison runs onto the field before the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: The Howard Bison runs onto the field before the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: The Howard Bison runs onto the field before the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: The Howard Bison runs onto the field before the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: The Alabama A&M Bulldogs run onto the field before the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: A graphic displaying the late Charlie Neal is displayed on the video board before the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

: The Howard Bison and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs team captains assemble at midfield for the coin toss before the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

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Itoro N. Umontuen

Itoro Umontuen serves as the National Sports and Entertainment Editor with Black Press USA. He is also a veteran photographer for 20 years, based in Atlanta for the past 15 years. His photography and videography style is a blend of portraiture and contemporary photojournalism. Previously, Umontuen served as the Managing Editor for The Atlanta Voice. While at the historic publication, Umontuen reported on local, statewide, and national politics. He also photographed thousands of sporting events, including Super Bowls and National Championships. He also engineers podcasts while mentoring emerging journalists. Umontuen is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University.

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