# MEAC/SWAC Challenge football developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/meacswac-challenge-football-developments
> Updated: 2026-09-02T18:03:37.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

The 2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge featured a matchup between the Howard University Bison and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in Atlanta. Howard University secured a 31-24 victory, marking the first win in the history of the challenge for the program. Quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins was named MVP after throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns, including a decisive 51-yard touchdown pass to Se’Quan Osborne.

The event saw increased national visibility, with the Howard-Alabama A&M game drawing an average of 1.2 million viewers on ABC, peaking at 1.7 million. This represents a 10 percent increase in viewership compared to the previous year. The growth of the event occurs alongside broader developments in HBCU football, such as the formation of the Black College Football Poll (BCFP) to provide standardized rankings for several conferences.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: HBCU football sees viewership growth during MEAC/SWAC Challenge

The Howard University Bison defeated Alabama A&M 31-24 in the 2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge, an event that saw a 10 percent increase in television viewership, averaging 1.2 million viewers on ABC.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hbcu-football-sees-viewership-growth-during-meacswac-challenge

### 2026-08-30: Howard University defeats Alabama A&M in MEAC/SWAC Challenge

Howard University defeated Alabama A&M 31-24 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, marking the Bison's first win in the event's history.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/howard-university-defeats-alabama-am-in-meacswac-challenge

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Cite as: MEAC/SWAC Challenge football developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/meacswac-challenge-football-developments