HBCU Football Week 2: Scores and Highlights

Sam Navarro, Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

By : Vincent Van

Week 2 of HBCU football brought plenty of excitement, close calls, and a few dominant performances. Let’s dive into the scores, results, and key moments from an action-packed Saturday, September 7th.

South Carolina State 23, The Citadel 20

In a gritty battle, South Carolina State managed to edge The Citadel with a 23-20 victory. It was a hard-fought game, with SC State sealing the win thanks to a clutch late-game field goal.

Mercer 31, Bethune-Cookman 2

Mercer dominated Bethune-Cookman, holding them to just a safety in a 31-2 blowout. Bethune-Cookman struggled offensively, while Mercer capitalized on every opportunity.

North Dakota State 52, Tennessee State 3

Tennessee State couldn’t get much going against North Dakota State, as the powerhouse team cruised to a 52-3 win. Tennessee State’s defense struggled to contain the high-powered Bison offense.

Norfolk State 28, Virginia State 23

Norfolk State pulled out a 28-23 win over Virginia State in a thrilling contest. Norfolk’s defense held strong in the final moments to preserve the victory.

Elon 41, North Carolina Central 19**

North Carolina Central fell to Elon 41-19. Despite showing flashes of promise, NCCU couldn’t keep pace with Elon’s balanced offensive attack.

Alabama State 24, Miles 3

Alabama State secured a 24-3 win over Miles, dominating on both sides of the ball. The Hornets’ defense was particularly impressive, shutting down Miles’ offensive efforts.

No. 12 Miami (FL) 56, No. 24 Florida A&M 9

In a tough matchup against an FBS opponent, Florida A&M couldn’t find their rhythm, falling to No. 12 Miami 56-9. Miami's size and speed were too much for the Rattlers, but FAMU looks to rebound in conference play.

Towson 14, Morgan State 9

Towson narrowly defeated Morgan State 14-9 in a defensive struggle. Morgan State had chances but couldn’t convert in key moments, leaving them just short of victory.

Hampton 33, Virginia Union 21

Hampton University secured a solid 33-21 win over Virginia Union, thanks to a strong offensive showing. Hampton’s passing game proved too much for Union’s defense to handle.

North Carolina A&T 27, Winston-Salem State 20 (OT)

North Carolina A&T won an overtime thriller against Winston-Salem State, 27-20. A&T outlasted their opponent in a back-and-forth game that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Howard 32, Mercyhurst 31

In one of the weekend’s closest games, Howard escaped with a 32-31 win over Mercyhurst. Howard’s offense came alive when it mattered most, and a last-minute stop sealed the victory.

Alabama A&M 49, Kentucky State 7

Alabama A&M dominated Kentucky State in a 49-7 blowout, leaving no doubt from the start. The Bulldogs showed why they’re one of the teams to watch this season.

Grambling State 37, Tuskegee 20

Grambling State earned a 37-20 victory over Tuskegee, relying on a balanced offensive attack and solid defensive plays to keep Tuskegee at bay.

Jackson State 58, Lane 7

Jackson State continued its dominant run with a 58-7 win over Lane. Coach T.C. Taylor’s squad put on an offensive clinic, overwhelming Lane from the get-go.

Lamar 28, Mississippi Valley State 14

Mississippi Valley State fought hard but ultimately fell short against Lamar, losing 28-14. Valley’s defense showed heart but couldn’t hold off Lamar’s offense in the second half.

Prairie View A&M 37, Northwestern State 31

In a close contest, Prairie View A&M secured a 37-31 win over Northwestern State. Prairie View’s offense delivered when it mattered most, pulling away in the fourth quarter.

Rice 69, Texas Southern 7

Texas Southern couldn’t keep pace with Rice, falling 69-7 in a one-sided affair. Rice’s offense clicked early and often, while Texas Southern struggled to find answers on defense.

Southern 42, Savannah State 10

Southern put together a strong performance, defeating Savannah State 42-10. The Jaguars controlled the game from start to finish, dominating on both sides of the ball.

Vanderbilt 55, Alcorn State 0

Alcorn State had a rough outing against Vanderbilt, losing 55-0. The Braves struggled to move the ball against Vanderbilt’s tough defense, while the Commodores had no trouble putting up points.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff 73, Arkansas Baptist 0

Arkansas-Pine Bluff delivered the most lopsided victory of the weekend, crushing Arkansas Baptist 73-0. UAPB’s offense was unstoppable, and their defense completely shut down Baptist’s efforts.

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Week 2 showcased a mix of nail-biting finishes and dominant wins. With so much talent across the HBCU landscape, the rest of the season promises to be filled with more excitement and surprises. Stay tuned as the journey continues, and teams look to make their mark in the 2024 season.