Homecoming!

The Pregame

Alabama A&M University's Sesquicentennial Homecoming haas officially wrapped up - and what a celebration it was. Personally, I had an unforgettable time, made even more special by celebrating my birthday during the festivities. The outpouring of love and energy from the Bulldog family was truly overwhelming.

My Homecoming weekend kicked off at the Alumni Day party on the football practice fields. The vibes were set early as we enjoyed performances from Big Mucci, Tonio Armani, 803 Soul, and headliner TK Soul. The air was filled with great music, the rhythmic clack of fans, constant laughter, and pure Bulldog joy.

Homecoming Saturday

Then came the main event:

Homecoming Saturday. Normal's Hill was PACKED. As soon as you stepped onto campus, you were met with the mouthwatering aroma of BBQ smoke rising from the Tailgate Plaza. Some of the best grillers in the Bulldog Nation showed out. You could walk the tailgate and take in the sights, smells, and sounds that make Homecoming feel like one big family reunion

A few hours before kickoff, Coach Sam Shade led the football team through the Tailgate Plaza in the traditional Bulldog Walk. Fans lined the path, showing support and hyping up the team ahead of the big game.

The Game

Kickoff was at 2:00 p.m. as the Bulldogs took on the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in front of a lively crowd of 19,871 fans. It was a shaky start fro A&M, falling behind 3-0 after Valley's kicker Marko Jovisic nailed a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Valley struck again with a touchdown to push the lead to 9-0. But the Bulldogs responded: Quarterback Eric Handley connected with Jordan Chambers-Smith for a touchdown, putting A&M on the board at 9-7.

Valley added another touchdown to extend their lead 16-7, but Maurice Edwards answered back with a score of his own, narrowing the gap to 16-14. Just before halftime, David Faulk drilled a field goal to give the Bulldogs a 17-16 lead.

From that point on, it was all A&M. The second half belonged to Maurice Edwards, Ryan Morrow, and Kolton Nero, as the Bulldogs dominated on the ground - racking up 240 rushing yards. The final score: AAMU 45 - MVSU 25.

The Postgame

After the game, fans split between continuing the tailgate celebrations and heading to the Homecoming Concert at Propst Arena, featuring hip-hop legend Jeezy.

This year, tailgating came with a more secure setup. Attendees passed through metal detectors, and all bags were searched before entering the area. While it was a different look, kudos to AAMU administration for prioritizing safety and ensuring a smooth experience for everyone.

Final Thoughts

All in all, this Homecoming was one for the books. From a thrilling win on the field, to the amazing food, live entertainment, and quality time with fellow Bulldogs - it was everything we hoped for and more.

As we head into a much-needed by week, let's take time to reflect on the memories made - and start gearing up for the next big one:

Magic City Classic.

Go Bulldogs!

AAMU live mascots, Butch and Butch-Albert