This HBCU homecoming recap covers the Oct. 9-11 weekend, including Morehouse’s Sunday victory, dramatic finishes by FAMU and Morgan State, and weather-related changes to campus celebrations.
Morehouse closed a weather-disrupted HBCU homecoming weekend with a 34-23 victory over Savannah State on Sunday in Atlanta, adding a successful finish to a celebration moved back a day.
Across the country, the Oct. 9-11 weekend featured contrasting homecoming experiences. Morgan State rewarded its returning alumni with a touchdown in the final minute. Alabama State suffered a one-point loss to Florida A&M after moving its game to Friday. Several other hosts won comfortably, while Spelman adjusted a homecoming program centered on alumnae fellowship, art and worship.
Weather became part of the story before the games began. Morehouse and Savannah State cited Hurricane Isaias when announcing their schedule change, and Florida A&M’s official recap identified the approaching storm as the reason for its earlier kickoff at Alabama State.
Morehouse wins its rescheduled Sunday homecoming
Morehouse defeated Savannah State 34-23 at B.T. Harvey Stadium after the game moved from Saturday afternoon to an 11 a.m. Sunday kickoff.
The Maroon Tigers established control early, scoring 21 first-quarter points and taking a 21-3 halftime lead. Morehouse added 13 points in the third quarter and entered the fourth ahead 34-17, according to the college’s official live statistics.
Savannah State scored six fourth-quarter points but could not overcome the early deficit. The victory followed Morehouse’s 30-28 win over Tuskegee in the previous weekend’s classic, giving the Maroon Tigers consecutive victories.
The schedule adjustment reached beyond football. Morehouse moved Saturday homecoming activities to Sunday, with stadium gates and tailgating areas opening at 10 a.m. The college said the changes were coordinated with campus, city and state officials as weather conditions threatened the Atlanta area. Morehouse’s official game statistics provided the score and quarter-by-quarter totals.
FAMU escapes Alabama State on the final play
Florida A&M delivered one of the weekend’s most dramatic finishes, defeating Alabama State 28-27 Friday in Montgomery.
The game moved to an 11 a.m. Central kickoff ahead of the storm. Alabama State led 27-14 with 12:18 remaining, but FAMU receiver Armand Burris caught fourth-quarter touchdown passes of 88 and 89 yards.
Freshman quarterback Armond Parker threw both scoring passes. A two-point conversion following the second touchdown put the Rattlers ahead.
Alabama State still had a chance to win, but Isiah Davis blocked Andrew Abu-Akel’s 47-yard field-goal attempt as time expired. The play preserved FAMU’s first Southwestern Athletic Conference victory of the season and left the Hornets with a narrow defeat on their homecoming weekend.
Morgan State rewards its homecoming crowd
Morgan State’s celebration in Baltimore came with a finish that carried significance beyond Saturday’s scoreboard.
Keith Jenkins Jr. scored on a 1-yard run with 24 seconds remaining, and Gavin Fetty’s extra point lifted the Bears to a 28-27 victory over Robert Morris at Hughes Stadium.
Morgan reported an announced attendance of 11,200. The victory improved the Bears to 5-1, their best start since 2009, and extended their winning streak to four games.
Trailing 27-21 with 4:16 remaining, quarterback Cameron Edge directed an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. The defense then preserved the lead with a sack-fumble.
Morgan also earned its third consecutive homecoming victory, giving returning alumni another successful afternoon during a season that has supplied growing momentum for the program.
Homecoming hosts deliver commanding victories
Several campuses celebrated victories that were settled well before the closing seconds.
Alcorn State defeated Arkansas Baptist 63-7. Delaware State beat Franklin Pierce 34-0, with the Hornets rushing for 419 yards. Kentucky State shut out Miles 46-0.
Virginia State defeated Livingstone 59-7, with seven different players scoring touchdowns. The Trojans’ homecoming program advertised a parade, tailgating, vendors and reunions alongside the football game, illustrating the range of activities surrounding the weekend’s main athletic event.
Albany State defeated Lane 51-0 after Friday’s rain raised questions about whether the game would proceed. The university’s recap described favorable conditions for Saturday’s homecoming game, and WALB reported a strong turnout following the severe weather.
Other homecoming winners included Central State, Elizabeth City State and Norfolk State.
North Carolina Central had a different outcome. The Eagles lost 17-14 to William & Mary on a rainy afternoon in Durham despite rushing for 282 yards. Gino Addison gained 169 yards, and Cobey Thompkins supplied a 68-yard touchdown run. William & Mary’s fourth-quarter field goal provided the winning margin.
Spelman’s homecoming reaches beyond football
At Spelman, homecoming reflected traditions that do not depend on a football team.
The college’s published program included a Friday celebration marking 30 years of the Spelman College Art Collection. Its revised Sunday schedule included alumnae check-in, a Front Porch Social, a sensory and family-friendly tailgate experience and a closing worship service.
Spelman moved Saturday activities to Sunday because of anticipated inclement weather. Camp HBCYouth was canceled, with refunds announced for ticket purchasers.
The changes demonstrated how weather affected the broader homecoming experience, including family programming, fellowship and opportunities for graduates to reconnect with their institution.
HBCU homecoming recap: Scores for Oct. 9-11, 2026
| Homecoming host | Opponent | Final score |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama State | Florida A&M | Florida A&M 28, Alabama State 27 |
| Albany State | Lane | Albany State 51, Lane 0 |
| Alcorn State | Arkansas Baptist | Alcorn State 63, Arkansas Baptist 7 |
| Central State | Tuskegee | Central State 27, Tuskegee 19 |
| Delaware State | Franklin Pierce | Delaware State 34, Franklin Pierce 0 |
| Elizabeth City State | Lincoln (Pa.) | Elizabeth City State 35, Lincoln 21 |
| Kentucky State | Miles | Kentucky State 46, Miles 0 |
| Morehouse | Savannah State | Morehouse 34, Savannah State 23 |
| Morgan State | Robert Morris | Morgan State 28, Robert Morris 27 |
| Norfolk State | Virginia-Lynchburg | Norfolk State 62, Virginia-Lynchburg 0 |
| North Carolina Central | William & Mary | William & Mary 17, NCCU 14 |
| Virginia State | Livingstone | Virginia State 59, Livingstone 7 |
Around HBCU football: Grambling wins the marquee matchup
Outside the homecoming schedule, Grambling State defeated No. 22 Jackson State 45-38 before a reported crowd of 15,434.
Grambling overcame an early 14-point deficit. Quarterback Jacobe Robinson accounted for five touchdowns, throwing four and rushing for another. D’Shaun Ford scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:36 remaining, and an interception helped set up a field goal that extended the lead.
The result was a significant SWAC victory for Grambling, whose homecoming took place the previous weekend.
Mississippi Valley State also delivered a road comeback, scoring 24 fourth-quarter points to defeat Texas Southern 38-34. Texas Southern’s homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 24 against Southern.
Elsewhere, North Carolina A&T defeated New Hampshire 30-27 in overtime; Alabama A&M beat Bethune-Cookman 55-17; Southern defeated Prairie View A&M 28-14; and Penn edged Howard 24-20. Johnson C. Smith defeated Shaw 49-6, Bowie State shut out Winston-Salem State 21-0, Charleston Southern beat South Carolina State 49-39, and UT Martin defeated Tennessee State 42-28.
Catch up on the previous weekend’s results and celebrations in HBCU Homecoming Weekend: Grambling’s Comeback, UAPB’s Road Win and Celebrations Beyond Football.
