HBCU Gameday

Sheena leads with the business of GHOE: Shannon Sharpe's Nightcap pulled out of North Carolina A&T's homecoming, and her verdict is blunt — the largest HBCU in the country does not need a podcast's exposure, and its band, auxiliaries and D9 organizations do not perform for free. Why it matters: this is the money and safety episode. Who benefits when a national podcast plants its flag at a homecoming, who pays for the safety footprint when a city swells by hundreds of thousands, and who gets blamed when violence happens near — but not at — a campus event? On Nightcap at GHOE: Sharpe says A&T charged for the band, auxiliaries and student access ten weeks after planning began, and named a university administrator on air. Sheena answers from the business side — GHOE was booked out long before Nightcap called, the Blue and Gold Marching Machine is booked and busy all homecoming week, and exposure is not a donation. Steve (SJG) joins with the journalism view: HBCU Gameday sought A&T's side, and ten weeks was likely too close for GHOE logistics either way. Protect The Yard: after the shooting in the vicinity of Florida A&M's homecoming, Sheena — drawing on her justice-studies degree and military background — breaks down root causes, including her research finding that most homecoming-weekend violence does not involve students or alumni at all. She holds up the coordinated NC A&T / Greensboro / Guilford County safety plan as the model, contrasts it with what she saw in Jackson, and gives the practical playbook: situational awareness, an exit plan before the first drink, hydration and medical prep, and community self-policing. Schools should not have to choose between celebrating the culture and feeling safe. Football recap: Bethune-Cookman beats Jackson State (the Tigers get a bye to reset); Bowie State stuns Johnson C. Smith; Virginia Union rolls Shaw 49–6; Winston-Salem State beats Lincoln (PA) 21–14; South Carolina State tops Norfolk State 22–7 on the Spartans' homecoming; Howard walks off Morgan State 26–20; Edward Waters hangs 62 on Clark Atlanta. Cheeks in the Seats — with Sheena and Steve openly questioning the creative math: Florida A&M's homecoming vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff leads the reported figures, followed by South Carolina State–Norfolk State, Hampton, and Bowie State's homecoming crowd. Plus: Tuskegee coaching watch after a midseason firing Sheena does not co-sign, a look ahead to a loaded weekend (Virginia Union vs. Lincoln (PA) at the Linc, Howard at North Carolina Central, Virginia State at Johnson C. Smith, Fayetteville State at Bowie State, Winston-Salem State vs. Elizabeth City State), and the close: protect the culture, protect the people — be proactive, not reactive. Originally streamed live on YouTube on October 29, 2026, as "Protect The Yard: Queens of The Yard."

🐅 THE THOMAS HOWARD SHOW | Savannah State University FootballThe Tigers are back on The Thomas Howard Show! Savannah State University Head Football Coach Thomas Howard joins us for another week of insight, reflection, and a look ahead at what's next for Tiger Football.This week, Coach Howard breaks down Savannah State's hard-fought, close loss to Kentucky State University, discussing his team's performance, the lessons learned, and what the Tigers must do moving forward.Coach Howard also turns his attention to next week's matchup against Benedict College, previewing the challenge ahead and what Savannah State needs to accomplish to come away with a victory.But this episode is about more than football. Coach Howard delivers a special message to former Savannah State football players, letting them know that the door is always open. He welcomes former Tigers back to campus to support, mentor, and encourage the current team.He recognizes the former players who laid the foundation for Savannah State football and emphasizes the importance of honoring their legacy while continuing to build the future of the program.Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger! 🐅Tune in for another episode of The Thomas Howard Show!#SavannahState #SavannahStateFootball #ThomasHowardShow #TigerFootball #SIACFootball #BenedictCollege #CollegeFootball #OnceATigerAlwaysATiger

Howard walks off Morgan State in overtime on a pick-six, Jackson State falls to Bethune-Cookman, and North Carolina Central hangs 31 on Delaware State — MEAC opening weekend blew up every preseason assumption, and the national picture has never been muddier. Why it matters: with November here, there is no clear frontrunner in a single HBCU conference. Jacobi Simmons, Steve (SJG) and Josh open with the top-three debate — Alabama A&M is the consensus No. 1 after the chaos and South Carolina State sits at No. 2. Guest Vaughn Wilson still finds a spot for Morgan State at No. 3 even after the Bears blew a 14-point lead to Howard, Josh takes "the field," and Steve goes off-script with North Carolina Central at No. 3 after the Eagles' payback rout in Dover. The MEAC report: Howard's defense carried a quiet offense for three quarters before the Bison stole the game in overtime, 26-20. North Carolina Central's RPO game carved up Delaware State behind a 15-for-18, 155-yard day from its quarterback, and Trei Oliver's young Eagles now get Howard next. In the other opener, South Carolina State beat Norfolk State 22-7. Vaughn joins for Segment 3: three MEAC winners, three different identities — North Carolina Central, South Carolina State and Howard — and who actually looks built to win the league. South Carolina State gets the nod as the most complete team, with a running back injury worth watching. Plus: Bowie State's 16-13 stunner over Johnson C. Smith scrambles the CIAA tiebreakers; the panel pauses for a sobering report from Vaughn on the shooting that marred Florida A&M's homecoming — 11 people struck and no fatalities reported at airtime; and the Brick by Brick Player of the Week goes to North Carolina Central freshman running back Gino Addison, who ran for 214 yards in the win at Delaware State. Lookahead: Howard at North Carolina Central, Delaware State vs. Norfolk State at Lincoln Financial Field, Virginia State at Johnson C. Smith, and the Magic City Classic. Originally streamed live on YouTube on October 26, 2026, as "Upsets Galore And Homecoming Fallout."

Benedict goes to Albany State and wins 29-8 with a defense that allows 152 total yards — and the Tigers still do not have the SIAC race to themselves. Why it matters: Sly and Jamie break down a weekend of SIAC upsets and statements that left the top of the conference stacked. Kentucky State sits first in the standings at 6-1 in the SIAC after escaping Savannah State 27-24, while Benedict, Edward Waters and Central State are all 5-1 right behind — and nobody has clinched anything. On the show: Benedict's defense (four sacks, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown), David Smith's 113 rushing yards and Zane Spires' school-record field goal at Albany State. Edward Waters hangs 62 on Clark Atlanta behind Tavion Faulk's seven touchdowns — one week after losing 45-24 at Benedict, so can that offense hold up against the conference's best? Central State, the overlooked story: 48-20 at Miles, five straight conference wins since losing its opener to Kentucky State, a contender at 5-1 despite a 5-3 overall record. Plus Lane's first win of the season, 16-6 at Fort Valley State, and Tuskegee's 26-23 escape against Allen. Originally streamed live on YouTube on October 28, 2026, as "It's All Starting to MakeSense, or Not!"

Bowie State beats Johnson C. Smith 16-13 on homecoming — a touchdown with 34 seconds left — and hands the Golden Bulls their first CIAA loss of the season. Why it matters: SJG and K-Ferg break down a thriller that blew up the CIAA championship picture. Johnson C. Smith outgained Bowie State 383-194 but went 3-for-5 in the red zone with two field goals, and Bowie's defense made the lead stand up. Five teams are now chasing four spots at championship weekend in Durham, with Virginia Union (6-0 CIAA) and Virginia State still unbeaten in conference play. Also on the show: Winston-Salem State wins its second straight, 21-14 at Lincoln (PA); Elizabeth City State beats Livingstone 34-26 for its own streak; a peek at the NCAA Division II playoff picture; and previews of the weekend that decides the race — Virginia State at Johnson C. Smith and Bowie State at Fayetteville State on Saturday, plus Virginia Union vs Lincoln (PA) Friday night at Lincoln Financial Field. Originally streamed live on YouTube on October 28, 2026, as "Thriller: CIAA vs. Everybody."

SJG and K-Ferg break down a BTA-filled week in the CIAA — Virginia Union's 48–7 statement win at Bowie State and Virginia State's 76–13 rout of Shaw — and look ahead to another weekend that will sort out the championship race. Three teams are still unbeaten in conference play — Virginia State (6–0), Johnson C. Smith (5–0) and Virginia Union (5–0) — with only the No. 1 vs. No. 2 championship game and the Friday Night Blitz spots available. Also covered: Johnson C. Smith's 40–6 win over Lincoln (Pa.) and Saturday's response game at Bowie State. Originally streamed October 21, 2026.

Sly and Jamie break down last week's SIAC action — headlined by Benedict's 45–24 win over previously conference-unbeaten Edward Waters — plus the spankings handed out around the league and the firing of Lane head coach Stanely Conner. Benedict's ground game (238 rushing yards; David Smith 106 yards and 2 TDs) built a 35–3 halftime lead and tightened the one-loss logjam behind Kentucky State (5–1), with Benedict, Edward Waters and Central State all at 4–1 in conference play. Originally streamed October 21, 2026.