Southern ends 25-year road drought as SWAC Week 9 delivers routs, late drama

Southern ended a 25-year winless stretch at Florida A&M’s Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday, using Trey Holly’s 204 rushing yards and a 98-yard interception return by Michael Williams II to power a 42-14 victory.

The Jaguars’ breakthrough highlighted an Oct. 31 Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule that produced three decisive wins and two games settled by three points.

Southern established control early, taking a 14-0 lead before Florida A&M answered in the second quarter. Holly responded with a 65-yard touchdown run just 21 seconds after the Rattlers’ first score.

Christian Johnson added a 10-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Valdez before Williams’ interception return stretched the advantage to 35-7. Williams finished with two interceptions, and Southern held Florida A&M scoreless after halftime.

Holly scored twice on 25 carries as the Jaguars amassed 311 rushing yards and 423 total yards. Southern converted 11 of 15 third downs and stopped all three Florida A&M fourth-down attempts.

The Jaguars improved to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play. Florida A&M dropped to 2-7 and 1-4.

Grambling State’s trip to Texas Southern ended in a 23-20 overtime loss after Cam’Ron McCoy scored on a 6-yard run at Thorne Stadium.

Athean Renfro Jr. supplied the biggest gains, rushing for 233 yards on 21 carries. His fourth-quarter touchdown runs of 75 and 86 yards turned a 10-3 deficit into a 17-10 Texas Southern lead.

Grambling tied the game with 4:46 remaining and opened overtime with a 31-yard field goal. Renfro then began Texas Southern’s possession with a 20-yard run, setting up McCoy’s winning touchdown.

Texas Southern improved to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in SWAC play with its second consecutive victory and third straight over Grambling. Grambling fell to 4-4 and 2-3.

In Birmingham, Alabama A&M ended a four-game losing streak against Alabama State with a 31-28 victory in the 85th Magic City Classic at Legion Field.

Cornelious Brown IV passed for 216 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score. Kolton Nero’s 61-yard run set up his own 4-yard touchdown with 3:47 remaining, giving the Bulldogs a 31-21 advantage.

Alabama State answered after DJ Hicks returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards. Jareese Howard’s third rushing touchdown brought the Hornets within three points, but Alabama A&M stopped their final possession after they regained the ball with 1:37 left.

Brown earned offensive MVP honors, while linebacker DJ Barber, who recorded 13 tackles, received the defensive award. The victory was coach Sam Shade’s 50th career win.

Alabama A&M improved to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Alabama State fell to 4-4 and 2-3.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff delivered the weekend’s highest scoring total, beating Bethune-Cookman 63-21 at Simmons Bank Field for its third consecutive victory.

The Golden Lions led 49-0 at halftime, intercepted five passes and rushed for 333 of their 451 total yards. Six players scored touchdowns, led by Demetric Whitlock Jr. with three and Jaylen Jennings with two.

Jennings rushed for 103 yards on five carries, while quarterback Jack Schierholz threw three touchdown passes without an interception.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the SWAC. Bethune-Cookman dropped to 5-4 and 3-2.

Alcorn State overwhelmed Mississippi Valley State 52-17 at Rice-Totten Stadium, accumulating a season-high 585 yards.

Jaylon Tolbert completed 23 of 29 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing score. Fredrick Robertson contributed 168 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, while Armon Wright caught eight passes for 126 yards and a score.

The Braves led 35-10 at halftime and 52-10 after three quarters. They finished with 323 passing yards, 262 rushing yards and no turnovers.

Alcorn improved to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Mississippi Valley State fell to 3-6 and 2-3.

Jackson State and Prairie View A&M had open dates.