HBCU Homecoming Recap 2026: Week 8 Scores and Upsets
By HBCU Times Sports | October 25, 2026
The HBCU homecoming recap 2026 continues with dramatic football finishes, conference upsets and alumni celebrations from Saturday, Oct. 24. From Texas to Virginia, historically Black colleges and universities welcomed generations of students, alumni and supporters for another exciting weekend of football and campus traditions.
From Texas to Virginia, homecoming celebrations brought generations of students, alumni and supporters together for football, marching bands, parades and campus traditions.
Six of the 10 identified homecoming football hosts secured victories, while four suffered defeats. Among the notable results, Texas Southern won on a last-second field goal, Bowie State defeated Johnson C. Smith, and Edward Waters scored 62 points against Clark Atlanta.
The weekend also followed a significant shift in the Week 8 HBCU football rankings, with Alabama A&M climbing to second in the USA TODAY Sports Network rankings after a dominant victory over Grambling State the previous week.
However, celebrations near Florida A&M University were disrupted Saturday evening when a shooting near Bragg Memorial Stadium injured 12 people, including six minors, according to Tallahassee police.
Texas Southern Wins Homecoming Thriller Against Southern
Final: Texas Southern 24, Southern 21
Texas Southern delivered one of the weekend’s most dramatic finishes, defeating Southern University 24-21 in Houston.
The Tigers led 21-7 in the third quarter before Southern rallied to tie the game.
Texas Southern kicker Miguel Arana connected on a 46-yard field goal as time expired to secure the victory.
Running back Athean Renfro contributed 135 rushing yards on 23 carries as the Tigers ended a five-game losing streak during their 99th homecoming celebration.
Bowie State Upsets Johnson C. Smith
Final: Bowie State 16, Johnson C. Smith 13
Bowie State defeated Johnson C. Smith 16-13 in a closely contested Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association matchup.
Trailing 13-9 late in the fourth quarter, Bowie State completed a 13-play, 85-yard drive.
Quarterback Joshuah Keith connected with John Thompson for the winning touchdown with 34 seconds remaining.
The victory ended Johnson C. Smith’s five-game winning streak and added another important result to the CIAA conference race.
South Carolina State Defeats Norfolk State in MEAC Opener
Final: South Carolina State 22, Norfolk State 7
South Carolina State opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with a 22-7 victory over Norfolk State at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
The Bulldogs built a 19-0 halftime lead before Norfolk State scored in the third quarter.
South Carolina State added a fourth-quarter field goal to secure the win and open its conference schedule with a victory.
Edward Waters Dominates Clark Atlanta
Final: Edward Waters 62, Clark Atlanta 14
Edward Waters University delivered one of Saturday’s most decisive victories, defeating Clark Atlanta 62-14 in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Tigers’ offensive performance came during a homecoming celebration that included student gatherings, a parade, royal court activities and entertainment.
Clark Atlanta entered the contest following a 17-14 homecoming victory over Allen University on Oct. 17 but could not repeat that success against Edward Waters.
Virginia Union Defeats Shaw in Richmond
Final: Virginia Union 49, Shaw 6
Virginia Union continued its successful conference stretch with a 49-6 victory over Shaw University during its homecoming celebration in Richmond, Virginia.
The Panthers entered the weekend after defeating Bowie State 48-7.
Saturday’s victory gave Virginia Union another important CIAA result as the team continued competing for postseason positioning.
Florida Memorial Earns Homecoming Win
Final: Florida Memorial 41, Thomas University 14
Florida Memorial University defeated Thomas University 41-14 at Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida.
The Lions built a 21-0 halftime advantage before continuing their offensive production in the second half.
Quarterback David Buggs threw touchdown passes to Jalen Holly and Cedric Madry, while Nygel Osborne and Khalil Washington contributed rushing touchdowns.
The victory improved Florida Memorial’s record to 4-4.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Defeats Florida A&M
Final: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31, Florida A&M 28
Florida A&M suffered a narrow 31-28 homecoming defeat to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee.
Rattlers quarterback Armond Parker threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.
Receiver Kieren Jackson finished with 101 receiving yards.
Despite Florida A&M’s offensive production, Arkansas-Pine Bluff secured the victory, improving to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Southwestern Athletic Conference competition.
Florida A&M fell to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
Monmouth Defeats Hampton at Armstrong Stadium
Final: Monmouth 49, Hampton 13
Hampton University celebrated its 98th homecoming but fell 49-13 to Monmouth University.
The game marked Hampton’s return to a renovated Armstrong Stadium.
An announced crowd of 7,992 attended the contest.
Hampton trailed 14-7 at halftime before Monmouth scored 35 second-half points to pull away.
Monmouth finished with 565 yards of total offense compared with Hampton’s 249.
Lane Defeats Fort Valley State
Final: Lane 16, Fort Valley State 6
Lane College spoiled Fort Valley State’s homecoming with a 16-6 victory in Fort Valley, Georgia.
The game followed several campus celebrations, including a homecoming parade, royal coronation and student activities.
Lane entered the contest during a coaching transition after the departure of head coach Stanley Conner, with athletic director Jeremy C. Patterson assuming coaching responsibilities for the remainder of the season.
Winston-Salem State Defeats Lincoln
Final: Winston-Salem State 21, Lincoln (Pa.) 14
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania marked its centennial homecoming celebration with a competitive CIAA contest against Winston-Salem State.
Winston-Salem State secured a 21-14 victory.
The football game was part of Lincoln’s broader centennial celebration, bringing alumni and supporters back to campus for activities recognizing the university’s history.
HBCU Homecoming Recap 2026: Other Football Results and Conference Highlights
Several games outside the weekend’s homecoming matchups also produced significant conference developments.
Bethune-Cookman defeated Jackson State 24-21, scoring the winning touchdown with 40 seconds remaining. The victory marked Bethune-Cookman’s first win over Jackson State since joining the SWAC.
Howard defeated Morgan State 26-20 in overtime, with defensive back Ben Chandler ending the game on an interception return for a touchdown.
North Carolina Central defeated Delaware State 31-12 on Friday.
Elsewhere, Benedict defeated Albany State 29-8, Tuskegee edged Allen 26-23, and Prairie View A&M defeated East Texas A&M 30-19.
The results added further significance to conference races as teams approached the final weeks of the regular season.
Alabama A&M Climbs to No. 2 in Week 8 HBCU Football Rankings
Alabama A&M University made one of the largest advances in the USA TODAY Sports Network’s Week 8 HBCU football rankings, climbing from fifth to second after defeating Grambling State 61-31 on Oct. 17.
The Bulldogs overcame an early 17-3 deficit and scored 44 unanswered points during the victory, which improved their record to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in SWAC play entering the weekend.
Jackson State held the No. 1 position in the rankings released Oct. 19, followed by Alabama A&M, South Carolina State, Morgan State and Grambling State.
The rankings evaluated all 21 Division I HBCU football programs and reflected results through the previous weekend.
Alabama A&M also rose to No. 2 in the Black College Football Poll, receiving six first-place votes and 372 points. Jackson State led that poll with 400 points and 13 first-place votes.
The Bulldogs did not play Oct. 24, but their rise in the rankings remained one of the week’s notable developments in HBCU football.
Read the full USA TODAY Sports Network Week 8 HBCU football rankings.
Homecoming Celebrations Continue Beyond Football
Homecoming traditions extended beyond stadiums as HBCU communities gathered for parades, coronations, concerts, student events and alumni reunions.
Fort Valley State’s celebration included a royal coronation, step show and Saturday parade.
Edward Waters hosted several activities throughout its homecoming week, culminating in Saturday’s football matchup.
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania observed its centennial homecoming, recognizing generations of alumni and the institution’s history.
Wilberforce University, Wiley University, Harris-Stowe State University and LeMoyne-Owen College were also among institutions observing homecoming during the week.
The celebrations reflected the continuing role of homecoming in connecting HBCU graduates, students and communities, whether or not their institutions compete in football.
Shooting Near FAMU Stadium Injures 12 After Homecoming Game
A shooting near Florida A&M University’s Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening injured 12 people, including six minors, authorities said.
Tallahassee police reported that the incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. near Perry and Manatee streets, approximately two hours after the university’s homecoming football game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff concluded.
Eleven victims sustained gunshot wounds. A 12th person was injured while fleeing.
According to local reporting Sunday morning, five victims had been released from the hospital, six remained hospitalized and one was in critical condition.
Police said preliminary findings indicated that an altercation occurred before the shooting. No arrests had been announced in the initial investigation.
Florida A&M issued a public safety alert advising people to avoid the area while authorities investigated. The university said its campus remained safe.
Authorities had not established a direct connection between the shooting and the football game.
The incident brought a troubling conclusion to an otherwise celebratory homecoming Saturday in Tallahassee as families and community members awaited additional information.
The investigation remained ongoing Sunday.
Looking Ahead: HBCU Homecoming Season Continues
HBCU homecoming celebrations will continue into November.
North Carolina A&T State University is scheduled to celebrate its 100th homecoming Oct. 31, hosting Elon University.
Allen University, Lane College and Shaw University also have homecoming football games scheduled for Oct. 31.
Tuskegee University and Winston-Salem State University are among the institutions scheduled to celebrate homecoming Nov. 7.
With conference championship races developing across the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA and SIAC, the coming weeks will provide additional opportunities for HBCU programs to compete on the field while their communities continue celebrating the traditions of homecoming.
Check out last weeks Homecoming Game Recap here!
