Xavier Lankford propels Alabama A&M to 56-12 romp over winless Bethune-Cookman

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Xavier Lankford threw a touchdown pass and ran for three scores to power Alabama A&M to a 56-12 victory over winless Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.

Lankford had short touchdown runs early in the first and second quarters to guide Alabama A&M (3-3, 1-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) to a 14-0 lead. Cam'Ron Ransom's 15-yard touchdown run came with 7:05 left before halftime, but Bethune-Cookman (0-6, 0-2) trailed by eight after the point-after kick was missed.

Lankford followed with a 44-yard scoring strike to DeQuadrion Welch. Amarie Jones fumbled the kickoff and Mohamed Bakayoko recovered at the Wildcats' 30-yard line. Donovan Eaglin covered it all on a first-down run and Alabama A&M led 28-6 at halftime.

Eaglin and Lankford had short touchdown runs in the third quarter and Ryan Morrow and Cornelious Brown IV added short scoring runs in the fourth.

Lankford completed 15 of 24 passes for 315 yards with one interception for Alabama A&M. Eaglin carried 13 times for 125 yards, Morrow rushed 10 times for 83, and Lankford had 73 on 15 carries. Keenan Hambrick had four catches for 111 yards.

Ransom totaled 105 yards on 10-for-21 passing for Bethune-Cookman.

Alabama A&M piled up 701 yards of offense and yielded only 181.