By D. Orlando Ledbetter
ATLANTA — Alabama A&M and Howard, both coming off losing seasons, will look to start their turnarounds when they play in the MEAC/SWAC challenge at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 29 at Center Parc Stadium.
Alabama A&M coach Sam Shade and Howard coach Ted White discussed the upcoming game on Thursday at Georgia State’s stadium.
“We are truly honored to be a part of this SWAC/MEAC challenge,” said Shade, who guided the Bulldogs to a 4-8 in his first season at the school.
Shade and White have gotten to know each other from meetings at the Black College Hall of Fame, Quarterback Summit and the Ozzie Newsome general manager forum.
The Bulldogs got off to a 3-1 start, but things went sideways after quarterback Cornelious “Quad” Brown IV suffered torn ligaments in his ankle.
“After that we didn’t have a quarterback on the roster that had played in a college game so the season went kind of the way the quarterback position went last season,” said Shade, who played at Alabama and nine seasons in the NFL with the Bengals (1995-98) and Washington (1999-2002).
Brown will enter training camp as the starter, but the Bulldogs will have an open competition.
“Fortunately this season, we get Quad back healthy,” Shade said. “That room has really changed. We’ve got a lot of experience there, a couple of guys behind him.”
The Bulldogs have added Mekhi Hagens and Ty’Jarian Williams.
Hagens played at Arkansas Pine Bluff in 2024.
“He started every game and was the second-leading passer in the SWAC,” Shade said.
Williams played at Mississippi Valley State.
“He started his freshmen and sophomore years there,” Shade said. “Was not able to play last season. So, we’ve really improved our quarterback room.”
The Bison went 5-7 last season and former coach Larry Scott left to become the tight ends coach at Auburn.
White, one of the most prolific passers in Howard history, was hired to replace Scott, who guided the Bison to two MEAC titles during his six year tenure.
White played at Howard from 1995 to 1999 and holds the school record for career passing yards (9,808), passing touchdowns (92) and passing completion (638).
Ja’Shawn Scroggins, Terrell Russell Jr., Preston Wright and Kadane Joseph were the quarterbacks listed on Howard’s spring football roster. The Bison expected to lean heavily on running back Eden James.
“We have some guys that we’ve added to the quarterback room that we feel really good about,” White said. “Also, some guys that have had some playing experience in the past who will give us an opportunity to be successful.”
White did not want to name a starter, but will likely do so the week of the game.
“We have some guys that we feel really good about,’” White said. “Some great leaders. Guys that we really trust. Guys who understand how to play the quarterback position at a high level.”
White started his coaching career in 2006 at Texas Southern. He also served an internship with the Atlanta Falcons in 2007.
“To the outside world, I’m unproven,” White said. “Our team is unproven. I’ve painted a picture to our guys where Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson.
“We watched the end of that fight. Buster Douglas was an unproven boxer. He was able to knockout one of the greatest boxers (known) to mankind. We want to take that approach. We respect all. But fear none.”
White believes the football mission is consistent with the university’s overall mission.
“That’s Howard University from an academic standpoint and that’s going to be Howard University football,” White said. “We feel like we have a chip on our shoulder and we have a lot to prove. We are up for that challenge.”
Alabama A&M, which is located in Huntsville, will have a travel advantage as the Howard alumni base is spread across the country.
“We’re going to come and we’re going to show up with a lot of people,” Alabama A&M athletic director Paul A. Bryant said. “We’re not coming here to take second place. We are coming here to be first.”
The game will be televised nationally on ABC.
”We are going to be on prime time,” Shade said. “As a competitive coach, my coaching staff, my players, our fan base, our alums, we are truly honored and excited. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
PHOTO: Alabama A&M coach Sam Shade and Howard coach Ted White discussing the upcoming Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff game set for Saturday, August 29 at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. (By D. Orlando Ledbetter/BowTieSports.com)