2020 Alabama A&M Bulldogs football team

The 2020 Alabama A&M Bulldogs football team represented Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bulldogs were led by third-year head coach Connell Maynor and played their home games at Louis Crews Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama as members of the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. On July 20, 2020, the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced that it would not play fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

2020 Alabama A&M Bulldogs football
Black college national champion
SWAC champion
SWAC East Division champion
ConferenceSouthwestern Athletic Conference
DivisionEast Division
Ranking
STATSNo. 24
FCS CoachesNo. 19
Record5–0 (3–0 SWAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDuane Taylor (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorGranville Eastman (2nd season)
Home stadiumLouis Crews Stadium
(capacity: 21,000)
2020 Southwestern Athletic Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 24 Alabama A&M x$  3 –0   5 –0  
Alabama State  3 –2   3 –3  
Jackson State  3 –2   4 –3  
Mississippi Valley State  1 –3   1 –3  
West Division
Arkansas–Pine Bluff x  4 –0   4 –1  
Southern  4 –1   5 –1  
Prairie View A&M*  2 –1   2 –1  
Texas Southern  1 –2   1 –2  
Grambling State  0 –4   0 –4  
Championship: Alabama A&M 40, Arkansas–Pine Bluff 33
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • Note: The SWAC played a spring conference-only schedule (February–May 2021) due to COVID-19 pandemic. Alcorn State opted out of the spring season; all of their scheduled games were counted as forfeit wins for their opponents.
    * – Ineligible for FCS postseason play due to NCAA sanctions.
Rankings from STATS Poll

On May 3, 2021, A&M was voted HBCU National Champions by the BOXTOROW Coaches and Media Polls, after finishing the season undefeated.[2] Their selections marks the first time in history the Bulldogs finished the season ranked as the #1 team in black college football. A&M ended ranked #19 in the 2020–21 Division I FCS Coaches Poll, head coach Maynor was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award for the top coach in FCS, and QB Aqeel Glass was a finalist for Walter Payton Award for best FCS player.[3]

Schedule

Due to the SWAC's postponement of the 2020 football season to spring 2021, games against Mississippi State, Stephen F. Austin, and UAB were canceled.[4] The SWAC released updated spring schedules on August 17.[5] Initially, A&M's spring schedule featured 6 games, 3 away, 2 home and the Magic City Classic. The Bulldogs won their first game via forfeit after Alcorn opted out of their spring season.[6] Additionally, games against Mississippi Valley State and Prairie View A&M were postponed and later canceled due to COVID cases in their respective programs. On March 3, the Bulldogs added a non-conference game against South Carolina State.[7] Their last scheduled home contest against Grambling State was also canceled without a makeup game schedule. Alabama A&M lost its final opportunity to host a game at Louis Crews Stadium when the SWAC moved its championship game to a neutral site due to confusion over tiebreakers as a result of COVID related cancellations.[8]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
February 27Alcorn State
W 2–0 (forfeit)
March 612:30 p.m.at South Carolina State*
ESPN3W 31–74,841
April 102:00 p.m.at Jackson State
ESPNW 52–4320,051
April 176:30 p.m.vs. Alabama State
ESPNUW 38–1416,500
May 12:00 p.m.vs. No. 24 Arkansas–Pine Bluff
ESPN2W 40–3317,248

[9][10]

Game summaries

At South Carolina State
Alabama A&M at South Carolina State
1 234Total
• AAMU Bulldogs 0 14143 31
SCSU Bulldogs 0 007 7
  • Date: March 6, 2021
  • Location: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium
    Orangeburg, SC
  • Game start: 1:30 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 9 minutes
  • Game attendance: 4,841
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy
  • Referee: Roy Bernard
  • Television network: ESPN3
   
Scoring summary
209:08AAMUAbdul-Fatai Ibrahim 16-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(4 plays, 55 yards, 1:01)		AAMU 7–0
00:21AAMUOdieu Hiliare 18-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(3 plays, 3 yards, 0:51)		AAMU 14–0
313:22AAMUDami Adekunjo 65-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)br/>(1 play, 65 yards, 0:17)AAMU 21–0
04:43AAMUBrian Jenkins Jr. 20-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(3 plays, 20 yards, 1:47)		AAMU 28–0
413:36SCSUAlex James 23-yard rush (Jarrod Jones kick)
(3 plays, 5 yards, 1:56)		AAMU 28–7
07:52AAMUSpencer Corey 37-yard field goal
(9 plays, 80 yards, 3:54)		AAMU 31–7
See also: 2020 South Carolina State Bulldogs football team
Over/under
SCSU −10.053
StatisticsAlabama A&MSouth Carolina State
First downs2014
Total yards433297
Rushing yards161165
Passing yards272132
Turnovers35
Time of possession32:1127:49
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Alabama A&MPassingAqeel Glass15/33, 272 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs
RushingGary Quarles21 carries, 87 yards
ReceivingAbdul-Fatai Ibrahim6 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD
South Carolina StatePassingCorey Fields10/22, 132 yards, 2 INTs
RushingKendrall Flowers13 carries, 115 yards
ReceivingShaquan Davis2 receptions, 51 yards

At Jackson State
Alabama A&M at Jackson State
1 234Total
• Bulldogs 7 211014 52
Tigers 7 14715 43
          
Scoring summary
111:50AAMUAbdul-Fatai Ibrahim 9-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(9 plays, 74 yards, 3:10)		AAMU 7–0
02:33JSUWarren Newman 6-yard rush (Glenn Misiak kick)
(8 plays, 66 yards, 3:29)		TIE 7–7
213:37JSUSantee Marshall 54-yard rush (Glenn Misiak kick)br/>(3 play, 65 yards, 1:10)JSU 14–7
12:14AAMUGary Quarles 43-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(4 plays, 65 yards, 1:23)		TIE 14–14
08:04AAMUAqeel Glass 5-yard rush (Spencer Corey kick)
(6 plays, 48 yards, 2:46)		AAMU 21–14
04:32JSUWarren Newman 17-yard pass from Quincy Casey (Glenn Misiak kick)
(8 plays, 53 yards, 3:21)		TIE 21–21
03:45AAMUZabrian Moore 61-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(2 plays, 80 yards, 0:38)		AAMU 28–21
312:04AAMUOdieu Hilaire 11-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(4 plays, 70 yards, 1:22)		AAMU 35–21
09:49JSUDaylen Baldwin 24-yard pass from Quincy Casey (Glenn Misiak kick)
(5 plays, 61 yards, 2:08)		AAMU 35–28
03:41AAMUSpencer Corey 34-yard field goal
(8 plays, 33 yards, 3:02)		AAMU 38–28
414:29AAMUAbdul-Fatai Ibrahim 25-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:25)		AAMU 45–28
06:59JSUWarren Newman 7-yard pass from Quincy Casey (Glenn Misiak kick)
(11 plays, 79 yards, 3:51)		AAMU 45–35
02:49AAMUAnthony Howard 4-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(10 plays, 75 yards, 4:10)		AAMU 52–35
01:29JSUWarren Newman 7-yard pass from Quincy Casey (Quincy Casey two-point conversion pass to Corey Reed Jr.)
(5 plays, 67 yards, 1:13)		AAMU 52–43
See also: 2020 Jackson State Tigers football team
Over/under
SCSU −10.053
StatisticsAlabama A&MJackson State
First downs2826
Total yards533463
Rushing yards93140
Passing yards440323
Turnovers00
Time of possession29:1230:48
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Alabama A&MPassingAqeel Glass27/40, 440 yards, 6 TDs
RushingGary Quarles16 carries, 86 yards
ReceivingZabrian Moore4 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD
Jackson StatePassingQuincy Casey30/47, 323 yards, 4 TDs
RushingSantee Marshall19 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDaylen Baldwin6 receptions, 135 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Alabama State
Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M
1 234Total
Hornets 7 700 14
• Bulldogs 7 10147 38
  • Date: April 17, 2021
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, AL
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
  • Game attendance: 16,500
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Light Clouds
  • Television network: ESPNU
    
Scoring summary
108:30ALSTJacory Merritt 1-yard rush (Hunter Hanson kick)
(11 plays, 95 yards, 0:00)		ALST 7–0
03:14AAMUGary Quarles 7-yard rush (Spencer Corey kick)
(9 plays, 78 yards, 0:00)		TIE 7–7
207:30ALSTMichael Jefferson 9-yard pass from Chris Scott (Hunter Hanson kick)br/>(11 plays, 58 yards, 5:40)ALST 14–7
06:42AAMUGary Quarles 15-yard rush (Spencer Corey kick)
(5 plays, 85 yards, 0:42)		TIE 14–14
00:00AAMUSpencer Corey 46-yard field goal
(1 play, 0 yards, 0:04)		AAMU 17–14
312:13AAMUZabrian Moore 44-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(9 plays, 78 yards, 2:47)		AAMU 24–14
03:17AAMUZabrian Moore 38-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(10 plays, 99 yards, 4:28)		AAMU 31–14
412:31AAMUOdieu Hilaire 2-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(9 plays, 52 yards, 3:32)		AAMU 38–14
See also: 2020 Alabama State Hornets football team and Magic City Classic
Over/under
AAMU −4.552
StatisticsAlabama StateAlabama A&M
First downs2024
Total yards285484
Rushing yards181112
Passing yards104372
Turnovers00
Time of possession31:1228:48
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Alabama StatePassingChris Scott13/28, 89 yards, 1 TD
RushingEzra Gray19 carries, 101 yards
ReceivingJahod Booker5 receptions, 58 yards
Alabama A&MPassingAqeel Glass25/40, 372 yards, 3 TDs
RushingAqeel Glass5 carries, 45 yards
ReceivingZabrian Moore4 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TDs

Vs. Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Arkansas–Pine Bluff vs. Alabama A&M
1 234Total
No. 24 Golden Lions 14 1207 33
• Bulldogs 10 8148 40
        
Scoring summary
113:29AAMUSpencer Corey 29-yard field goal
(7 plays, 67 yards, 1:31)		AAMU 3–0
10:24UAPBMattias Clark 4-yard rush (Zach Piwniczka kick)
(7 plays, 46 yards, 3:05)		UAPB 7–3
07:38AAMUZabrian Moore 30-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)br/>(8 play, 75 yards, 2:46)AAMU 10–7
07:26UAPBTyrin Ralph 81-yard kickoff returned (Zach Piwniczka kick)
(0 plays, 0 yards, 0:12)		UAPB 14–10
211:07AAMUGary Quarles 3-yard rush (Spencer Corey PAT blocked)
(9 plays, 43 yards, 3:41)		AAMU 16–14
07:04UAPBDeJuan Miller 5-yard pass from Taylor Holston (Zach Piwniczka PAT blocked)
(9 plays, 71 yards, 4:03)		UAPB 20–16
07:04AAMUJa'Marian Green Defensive PAT conversion
(9 plays, 71 yards, 4:03)		UAPB 20–18
05:17UAPBKolby Watts 33-yard fumble returned
(3 plays, 3 yards, 1:47)		UAPB 26–18
308:00AAMUAnthony Howard 7-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Spencer Corey kick)
(12 plays, 79 yards, 4:55)		UAPB 26–25
01:24AAMUGary Quarles 3-yard rush (Spencer Corey kick)
(8 plays, 80 yards, 3:15)		AAMU 32–26
407:16AAMUZabrian Moore 13-yard pass from Aqeel Glass (Aqeel Glass two-point conversion pass to Terrell Gardner)
(7 plays, 66 yards, 2:40)		AAMU 40–26
02:30UAPBJosh Wilkes 11-yard pass from Skylar Perry (Zach Piwniczka kick)
(11 plays, 72 yards, 2:41)		AAMU 40–33
See also: 2020 Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions football team and SWAC Championship Game
Over/under
AAMU −3.561
StatisticsArkansas–Pine BluffAlabama A&M
First downs1830
Total yards324368
Rushing yards8897
Passing yards236271
Turnovers42
Time of possession26:0633:54
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Arkansas–Pine BluffPassingSkyler Perry23/36, 231 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs
RushingSkyler Perry16 carries, 71 yards
ReceivingDeJuan Miller6 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
Alabama A&MPassingAqeel Glass24/45, 271 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
RushingGary Quarles23 carries, 69 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingZabrian Moore5 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TDs

Postseason honors

Deacon Jones Trophy/Black College Football Player of the Year
  • QB Aqeel Glass

BOXTOROW HBCU Player of the Year
  • QB Aqeel Glass

BOXTOROW HBCU All-American First-Team
  • QB Aqeel Glass
  • OL Jonathan Williams
  • WR Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim
  • DL Marcus Cushnie

BOXTOROW HBCU All-American Honorable Mention
  • RB Gary Quarles
  • WR Zabrian Moore

SWAC Player of the Year
  • QB Aqeel Glass

All-SWAC First Team
  • QB Aqeel Glass
  • OL Dexter Fuqua
  • WR Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim
  • DL Marcus Cushnie

All-SWAC Second Team
  • RB Gary Quarles
  • OL Antearius Harrington
  • OL Jonathan Williams
  • WR Zabrian Moore
  • LB Armoni Holloway
  • DB Amari Holloway
  • K Spencer Corey

References
  1. Stephenson, Creg (July 20, 2020). "SWAC becomes latest FCS conference to postpone 2020 football season to spring". AL.com. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  2. "BOXTOROW Polls: Alabama A&M claims first ever HBCU national championship". May 3, 2021.
  3. "FCS finalists announced for 2020-21 Walter Payton Award, other top honors | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com.
  4. Visser, David (July 21, 2020). "SWAC Suspends Fall Football Season". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  5. "SWAC Releases 2021 Spring Football Schedule". swac.org. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  6. Marshall, Kendrick. "Alcorn State to forfeit spring games, will play some scheduled fall home contests on road, SWAC announces".
  7. "Alabama A&M will open 2021 season at South Carolina State". rocketcitynow.com.
  8. "2021 Cricket Wireless SWAC Football Championship Game relocates to Jackson, MS". rocketcitynow.com.
  9. "2020-21 Alabama A&M Bulldogs Football Schedule". Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  10. "Alabama A&M Bulldogs". ESPN. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
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