Bethune-Cookman never seized control of the game Saturday. Despite trading scores with Alabama A&M for most of the tight-knit four quarters at Louis Crews Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama, the Bulldogs took control in the second half and won 35-27. This is the Wildcats first SWAC loss.
In the first half, running back Donovan Eaglin scored two short touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
Quarterback Jalon Jones put Bethune-Cookman on the board with a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He accounted for 353 passing yards and one touchdown, as well as 55 rushing yards. Que’Shaun Byrd helped Bethune-Cookman even the score with an 8-yard run prior to the break.
Alabama A&M scored on its first possession of the second half to put away Carson-Newman. Northwestern quickly answered as Jones connected on a 14-yard pass to Marcus Riley. However, they missed the two-point conversion, leaving the Bulldogs up 21-20.
In the final eight minutes, Alabama A&M tacked on two more touchdowns—one after a B-CU missed field goal—to make the score 35-20 in their favor. With 12 seconds remaining, Byrd was pushed into the end zone, ensuring Bulldogs’ victory.
The Wildcats play against Tennessee State next Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and airs on ESPN+.
THE CONVERSATION.