‘Dogs vs. Hogs: Alabama A&M opens its season Saturday at Arkansas

NORMAL — For the third straight year, the Alabama A&M University football team is opening its season against a member of the SEC.

This time, the Bulldogs make the trip to Fayetteville, Ark., to face Arkansas inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Saturday’s contest marks the inaugural meeting between the two teams while Alabama A&M is seeking its first-ever victory over an SEC opponent.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to compete against a quality SEC opponent like Arkansas,” Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade said. “Games like these will test our team and accelerate our growth. Our players are ready to embrace the challenge and represent Alabama A&M with pride.”

The game will air live on the SEC Network as Dave Neal (play-by-play), Fozzy Whittaker (analyst) and Morgan Uber (sideline) will have the call.

ABOUT THE GAME

• Alabama A&M is seeking its first win over an SEC opponent
• Arkansas is 4-0 all-time against current SWAC members
• Alabama A&M is 0-5 against members of the SEC
• This is the debut for AAMU head coach Sam Shade
• Arkansas is 103-24-4 all-time in season openers and owns a 106-21-4 mark in home openers

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M will be making the first of four trips by airplane this season
• AAMU is seeking its first road season-opening game since Aug. 31, 2013 – a 23-9 victory over Grambling State
• The Bulldogs are 24-36-3 all-time in season-opening road games
• Alabama A&M’s last season-opening win came in 2021 – a 42-41 win over South Carolina State
• Cornelious Brown IV will be making his third straight season-opening start at quarterback
• Brown saw action in 11 games last season, going 127-of-222 passing for 1,666 yards and 12 touchdowns
• Defensively, the Bulldogs will feature a new look with the return of defensive coordinator Chris Shelling

RAZORBACKS AT A GLANCE

• The Razorbacks play three of their first five games at home, including a matchup on September 27 against Notre Dame
• In last season’s matchup with SWAC opponent Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the Razorbacks accounted for nearly 700 total yards of offense, including 408 through the air in a 70-0 victory
• Quarterback Taylen Green returns under center where he went 230-of-381 passing last season for 3,154 yards and 15 touchdowns
• Mike Washington enters his first season at Arkansas and the running back rushed for 725 yards on 157 attempts, along with eight touchdowns last season at New Mexico State
• Defensively, Xavian Sorey Jr. led the Hogs with 99 total tackles last season and tied for the team lead with 9.5 tackles for loss

SERIES HISTORY

• Alabama A&M and Arkansas will be meeting for the first time

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

LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT’S NEXT

• Alabama A&M will have its 2025 home opener Sept. 6 in the 15^th Annual Louis Crews Classic against Alcorn State
• This will be the 25^th meeting between the two programs, with the Bulldogs leading the all-time series, 13-11
• Alcorn State opens the 2025 on Aug. 28 against Northwestern State
• AAMU is 10-4 all-time in the Louis Crews Classic
• The last Bulldog loss in the annual classic was a 28-3 defeat by Austin Peay