Bulldogs aim to remain unbeaten at home vs. Prairie View A&M

NORMAL — Alabama A&M seeks to remain unbeaten at home as they welcome Prairie View A&M for Salute to Service Day.

The Saturday Southwestern Athletic Conference clash kicks off at 2 p.m. in Louis Crews Stadium.

The Bulldogs (4-5 overall, 1-4 SWAC) comes into the game off a 13-10 road loss to Grambling State last week. AAMU scored the first 10 points in the game and took a 10-6 advantage into the final quarter before surrendering a punt return touchdown in the final quarter.

“It has been frustrating not being able to put all three phases together. I did think the effort, for four quarters, was good against Grambling State,” Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade said. “We want to finish the season off strong, to have a winning record and be undefeated at home and that is something that motivates this team and program.

“They (Prairie View A&M) are a well-coached football team in all three phases of the game. They run the ball well on offense and don’t turn the ball over much. Defensively, they play the run well, keep things in front and don’t give you explosive plays and make you earn it.”

Prairie View A&M (6-3, 4-1) enters off a 31-28 home defeat to Alabama State last week. The Panthers nearly rallied from 10 down in the final quarter, but Diego Alfaro’s 53-yard attempt with 26 seconds left was no good, giving the Hornets the victory.

The game will air live on SWAC TV as Mo Carter (play-by-play) and Reggie Floyd (analyst) will have the call. Fans can tune into WJAB (90.9 FM) as Maurice Brooks (play-by-play), Thai Floyd (analyst), Evan Hayes (pregame and postgame) and Chauncy Sanders (pregame and postgame) will bring you all the action.

ABOUT THE GAME

• Alabama A&M and Prairie View A&M will be meeting for the 19th time; Prairie View A&M has a 10-8 series lead
• Saturday’s game is Salute to Service Day at Louis Crews Stadium
• The Bulldogs enter having dropped four out of their last five games
• The Panthers have won four out their last five games, but will come into the game off a close home loss to Alabama State
• Both head coaches are in their first year after previous stints at Division II institutions (Sam Shade -Miles; Tremaine Jackson – Valdosta State)

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M has lost four of its last five games, including classic matchups against Jackson State and Alabama State
• The Bulldogs are coming off a 13-10 road loss at Grambling State last week
• Kicker David Faulk is a perfect 6-for-6 this season on field goals since taking over the duties on Sept. 20
• The Bulldogs have scored in the opening quarter in 14 straight games, dating back to Nov. 2, 2024 vs. Southern
• Alabama A&M ranks fourth in the FCS (first in the SWAC) in fourth down conversion percentage defense and sixth in fourth down conversion percentage (first in SWAC)
• Keon Handley Jr. is second in the country, first in the conference, in fumbles recovered

PANTHERS AT A GLANCE

• Prairie View A&M enters the game off a 31-28 home loss to Alabama State last weekend
• The Panthers lead the SWAC West Division by two games over Grambling State
• PVAMU racked up nearly 250 yards on the ground versus the Hornets and is averaging 188.0 yards per game
• Running backs Chase Bingmon and Lamegea McDowell have amassed more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns this season
• Quarterback Cameron Peters has nine touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games, averaging 149.3 yards per game through the air
• Prairie View A&M ranks tops in the FCS in blocked kicks allowed, blocked punts allowed, passing yards allowed, fifth in punt return defense, sixth in fumbles recovered, sixth in sacks allowed, eighth in team passing efficiency defense and ninth in total defense
• Sterling Roberts is seventh nationally in fumbles recovered and Kennedy Parker is 28^th in tackles for loss

SERIES HISTORY

• Alabama A&M and Prairie View A&M will meet for the 19^th time
• The Panthers lead the all-time series, 10-8
• Prairie View A&M has won the past 10 meetings
• The Bulldogs are 2-6 in games decided by seven points or less
• Alabama A&M won six straight in the series from 1999-2005

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

• Alabama A&M needs to protect the line of scrimmage
• AAMU needs to win the turnover battle
• The Bulldogs must avoid committing a ton of penalties