WASHINGTON (July 18, 2026) - For the second time in five years, the Howard University football team will kick off the season early when it takes on Alabama A&M (AAMU) Saturday, Aug. 29 in the 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (ET) at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta and will be live on ABC.
 
"From an athletic standpoint, this is an opportunity for people to see HBCUs," said Howard football head coach Ted White, who is entering his first season at the helm. "We have an opportunity to play a good brand of football and it just so happens to be on ABC. And we are excited about that because recruits, fans, friends of the program get an opportunity to see exactly what we have to offer as a program."
 
In 2022, Howard, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), made its debut in the annual event and lost a 23-13 decision to Alabama State. AAMU, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), will also be making its second appearance after falling to then-MEAC member North Carolina A&T State, 47-13, in 2014.
 
The MEAC holds a 12-8 advantage in the series.
 
"For us to be able to win this game, we got to be consistent in our preparation," White stated. "Offensively, we got to take care of the football. Defensively, we must take the football away and play our best brand of football. We must be discipline, play smart and just give ourselves an opportunity to win the game."
 
A year ago, the Bison posted a 5-7 (2-3 MEAC) record. Entering this season, HU will be under the leadership of White, who was a standout quarterback during his career at Howard, holding numerous school and MEAC records.
 
"I am excited for the challenge," said White. "I am excited that we get an opportunity to play on the national stage and showcase exactly what we have to the country. Anytime that you are talking about the No. 1 HBCU in the country, it is a great opportunity to showcase Howard University, not just from an athletic standpoint. And it is important for us to be able to showcase to the world."
 
A former NFL player, White has paid his dues with several stops, including his alma mater, Texas Southern, UCLA and Maryland in his most recent experience. Last season, he worked with the top freshman quarterback in the country at Maryland, Malik Washington.
 
Last season, the Bulldogs finished 4-8 overall (1-7 SWAC) and will be led by second-year head coach Sam Shade.
 
"Howard was a really good football team last year and Coach White was a great hire," said Shade. "With him being an alum and his track record, he is a really good coach and football mind."
 
The nationwide audience will be entertained by the bands from both schools.
 
Howard Director of Bands Clifford Southern previewed the Toyota Halftime Show and discussed the preparation, discipline and academic expectations associated with their respective programs.
 
"This opportunity allows the Howard Showtime Marching Band a chance to entertain fans while promoting the academic and musical opportunities available at the University," said Southern. "We are Showtime, so we plan to entertain from the time we go on the field until we get off. We are going to make sure that the crowd gets some engagement and involvement."
 
Both athletic directors described the MEAC/SWAC Challenge as an opportunity to promote more than football. The event will provide exposure for the universities, student-athletes, marching bands, alumni and the broader HBCU community.
 
The ESPN talent duo of Florida A&M alum Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Howard alum and former All-American Jay Walker (color commentary) will call all the action. Interestingly, Walker was the quarterback of the HU team which defeated Alabama A&M in 1992.
 
Bison fans can catch all the action on the Howard Sports Radio Network with Trevin A. Jones, Nathaniel Henry, Amir Walker and Casaya Achampong providing all the action.
 
Tanbrance Berry, Legal Communications major, c/o '28, contributed to this story.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.