An HBCU Classic with years of history will write another exciting chapter on Saturday, especially with both teams coming into the contest off of a bye week.
Alabama State and Alabama A&M will meet in Birmingham for their yearly battle in the Magic City Classic, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. Central time.
“It was a much-needed bye,” Bulldogs head coach Sam Shade said. “We were pretty banged up as a team. It gave some guys a chance to get back healthy and also allowed our players to focus on midterms.”
“You always want to play the next week after a tough loss, but the bye gave us time to get healthy,” Hornets head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. added. “Guys like Desmond Daniels, Rudy Jean Louis, and our starting corner — who missed the Jackson game — should be back. That’s a big plus.”
The Hornets’ previous game was a heartbreaking 38-34 loss at Jackson State, giving the Tigers the lead in the SWAC Eastern Division race. Robinson said that game – and anything beyond the Magic City Classic – is not a concern for he or his team.
“You can’t control what happened in the past. If you’re worrying about the future, that creates anxiety,” he said. “We’re focused on winning today – go to class, be on time, have a great Tuesday. That’s how you win Saturday.”
AAMU defeated Mississippi Valley State 45-25 before their bye week, and now Bama State has their full attention as the Bulldogs look to keep their own SWAC East title hopes alive.
“What makes it so intense is how personal it is,” he said. “We’ve got guys who played high school ball together, families with members on both sides. That’s what makes it real.”
Shade said quarterback Quad Brown is still questionable for Saturday’s game, but Robinson is prepared for either Brown or reserve Eric Hadley.
“They don’t change the play calls a lot, but every QB has different strengths,” he said. “You have to watch more film to prepare for both.”
Andrew Body is good to go at QB for ASU, and Shade is aware of his considerable talents, calling him “One of the best in FCS football.”
“Their offense goes through him,” Shade said. “He’s effective in both the run and the pass game. We have to do a great job of limiting him, especially on third down when he can extend plays with his legs.”
With Robinson being a veteran of the Magic City Classic and Shade being a first-timer, both coaches are aware of what this game means to both schools.
“We told our team the game is for us,” Shade said. “All the events and festivities — they’re not for us. The game is where we get to showcase who we are.”
“It’s probably the most exciting and the biggest week of the year for the football team, the school and myself,” Robinson said. “We’re just excited to be a part of it.”