Best Moments From the First And Most Watched HBCU Homecoming Football Game So Far

HBCU Homecoming 2024: Alabama State University and Florida A&M University set the tone for this homecoming season.

It’s officially October which means pumpkin spice, fall leaves, and most importantly: HBCU Homecoming season! Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) always put on a show for homecoming, but this year’s football season is already tuning up to be one for the history books.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Ayo Edebiri, ‘OPUS’ Cast on Staying Sane in Hollywood and the Film’s Ambiguous Ending

Alabama State University (ASU) kicked off homecoming with a week’s worth of celebrations and events, but we’d be lying if we said the highly anticipated face-off between ASU and Florida A&M University (FAMU) wasn’t the real reason we were tuning in.

In the sixth week of the HBCU football season, FAMU blew ASU out the water on their own home field (28-13), according to HBCU Sports. And with over 30,000 people present, it’s safe to say the energy was electric and the vibe was simply unmatched. There’s nothing like a HBCU football game. Let’s take a look at exactly how it all played out…

Right Before the Game

ASU going against FAMU was an interesting matchup considering the Florida Rattlers were the reigning SWAC champions. “It’s homecoming for them, and normally, you put a team on your homecoming that you think you can beat,” said FAMU head coach James Colzie III said with a smile.

The History Between ASU and FAMU

Photo: Getty Images Don Juan MoorePhoto: Getty Images Don Juan Moore

The FAMU Rattlers are clearly the team to beat. Last year, they went up against ASU, and to no one’s surprise, FAMU completely mopped the floor (23 to 10).

Coaches Shake Hands

No matter who wins, football is all about good sportsmanship and homecoming is all about community!

The Coin Toss

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘@alabamastate1867 on Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘@alabamastate1867 on Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

You can just feel the tension in the air…

ASU Stingrettes

Check out ASU’s rendition of this Sade classic!

FAMU Showing Up and Out!

If it’s one thing to know about the Rattlers is that they’ll show up to support their boys despite the travel time, weather, or any other inconvenience. Even a hurricane couldn’t throw supporters off their course to ASU’s home field.

Let the Game Begin!!

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘@alabamastate1867 on Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘@alabamastate1867 on Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

Currently, the NCAA ranks the ASU Hornets no. 10 heading into week seven of the SWAC power rankings.

Setting A Crowd Record

Over 30,000 fans flooded the ASU stands this year, setting a record!

FAMU Halftime Show

From a Mary J. Blige tribute to the formation changes and witty announcer, FAMU’s band certainly left it all on the field.

ASU Halftime Show

ASU showed out with a Rich Homie Quan tribute and some impressive takes on R&B hits from our favorite singers!

Celebration Dance

Arguably some of the best parts of HBCU football are the celebration dances!

Even the Kids Get Active!

Photo: Getty Images Don Juan MoorePhoto: Getty Images Don Juan Moore

We know homecoming is a family affair, but even at the football games, the little ones tend to steal the shine.

Lovers Reunite for ASU Homecoming

These college sweethearts met on ASU’s campus. Now they’re back on their old stomping grounds, supporting the Hornets!

Another Touchdown?!

By the fourth quarter, the Hornets were in big trouble. FAMU score another touchdown, widening the gap (21-10).

Getting Active!!

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘@alabamastate1867 on Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘@alabamastate1867 on Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

The NCAA currently puts the FAMU Rattlers no. 1 heading into week seven of the SWAC power rankings.

Rattlers Celebrate

FAMU sure wasted no time celebrating their victory this time around. Players were spotted on ASU’s field showing off their best dance moves.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Directors Who Should Have Oscars, But Don't

Black Directors Who Should Have Oscars, But Don’t

As Ryan Coogler could make history at the 2026 Oscars, let’s look back at Black directors whose films deserved more recognition than they got! …
Why Everybody is Suddenly Giving Black Women Their Much-Deserved Flowers!

Why Everybody is Suddenly Giving Black Women Their Much-Deserved Flowers!

From Sterling K. Brown to white folks on TikTok, Black women are finally receiving their flowers for being the backbone of society— and we love to see it …
Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black folks woke up on the last day of Black History Month to military strikes in Iran. Now, they’re voicing frustrations as questions about ground troops arise …
Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Kerwin Pittman becomes the first formerly incarcerated Black man to buy a U.S. prison, transforming a site of confinement into a reentry campus …
Full Timeline of Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani's Rocky 14-Month Marriage Now Headed to Divorce

Full Timeline of Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani’s Rocky 14-Month Marriage Now Headed to Divorce

Folks online who followed Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani’s marriage say its been rocky early on before Howard filed for divorce. Here’s the full rundown …
NBA Shuts Down Atlanta Hawks' 'Magic City Monday' Promotion, Black Twitter Responds

NBA Shuts Down Atlanta Hawks’ ‘Magic City Monday’ Promotion, Black Twitter Responds

The NBA canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ collab with the popular strip club after growing backlash …
Lil Baby is Trying to Save His Atlanta Neighborhood, One Property at a Time

Lil Baby is Trying to Save His Atlanta Neighborhood, One Property at a Time

After gentrification pushed thousands of Black folks out of historic Atlanta neighborhoods, rapper Lil Baby returns to his stomping grounds with a new business plan …
Smoothie King Fired Staff Who Refused MAGA Couple Service— But Here’s the Ironic Double Standard Everyone is Missing

Smoothie King Fired Staff Who Refused MAGA Couple Service— But Here’s the Ironic Double Standard Everyone is Missing

Two Michigan Smoothie King workers were canned after refusing service to pro-Trump customers, meanwhile, Black folks are calling out a double standard …
Howard University Athletes Take a Stand Against New Kneeling Policy for the National Anthem

Howard University Athletes Take a Stand Against New Kneeling Policy for the National Anthem

Since 2020, athletes at Howard University have kneeled to protest the national anthem. Now, a new policy banning kneeling is causing trouble …
Why The New Yorker's Drawing of Wunmi Mosaku Has Fans Furious 

Why The New Yorker’s Drawing of Wunmi Mosaku Has Fans Furious 

‘Sinners’ star Wunmi Mosaku has been riding high off her first Oscar nomination, but one drawing didn’t reflect that and fans are calling it out! …
Locksmith Refuses Service to Black Chick-fil-A Owner – Then Gets Hit With a Reality Check

Locksmith Refuses Service to Black Chick-fil-A Owner – Then Gets Hit With a Reality Check

A Black Chick-fil-A franchise owner went viral after recalling how a locksmith refused to help her because he didn’t believe she was the owner …
How One Black Woman is Saying No to Work and Yes to Unapologetic Rest

How One Black Woman is Saying No to Work and Yes to Unapologetic Rest

After being laid off in 2025, Brandy Walker is launching a one-year sabbatical for all Black women to join! …
You Won't Believe Why Stephen A. Smith Is Not Running For President in 2028

You Won’t Believe Why Stephen A. Smith Is Not Running For President in 2028

The host of ESPN’s “First Take” has been open about possibly running for the highest office in the nation …
Terrence Howard Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud About Black Boys and Sexual Abuse

Terrence Howard Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud About Black Boys and Sexual Abuse

Terrence Howard’s painful story exposes a truth we rarely confront. Black boys are vulnerable to abuse but are almost never treated like victims …
Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

After shots were shockingly fired at Rihanna’s home on Sunday, the singer and the public finally have some good news …
Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder's Family Fights Over Disinheritance

Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder’s Family Fights Over Disinheritance

D’Wayne Wiggins passed away in March 2025 after a year-long battle with bladder cancer …
Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn't Kill Anyone

Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn’t Kill Anyone

Three decades after being sentenced for a murder he didn’t even witness, Sonny Burton is now only days away from his scheduled execution …
Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey's Star-Studded Dating Life

Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey’s Star-Studded Dating Life

With Lori Harvey and her ex-boo Damson Idris back in headlines, let’s take a look at the socialite and budding actress’ dating history! …
Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

A California pastor accused of pushing a church elder down a short flight of cement steps and out a metal gate just shared his side of the story …
How Trump's White Female Voters Got Played

How Trump’s White Female Voters Got Played

Opinion: White women thought they were winning under Trump. They did not realize they were just being used …