By Donald Hunt
For The Birmingham Times
It’s always one of the biggest college football games of the season for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The 82nd Magic City Classic between Alabama A&M and Alabama State will take place on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m. at Birmingham’s historic Legion Field.
Alabama A&M (4-3 overall, 2-2 league) and Alabama State (3-3 overall, 2-2 league) will battle for bragging rights in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the state of Alabama. These two long time HBCU titans are coming off bye weeks.
The AAMU Bulldogs and the ASU Hornets come into this game with some momentum. AAMU posted an impressive 45-24 win over Grambling State before the break. The Bulldogs received a great performance from quarterback Xavier Frankford who had 16 carries for a career-high 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Lankford also threw for a 127 yards completing nine of 22 passes for one TD.
Offensively, Lankford isn’t the only threat for the Bulldogs who also have a strong rushing game with running backs Donovan Eaglin and Ryan Morrow. Eaglin is the team’s leading rusher with 427 yards. Morrow has compiled 375 yards this season.
ASU has been playing at a high level and is coming off a 24-19 victory over Jackson State University. The Hornets strength is on the defensive side of the football and sparked by linebacker Colton Adams who leads the team with 74 total and 36 solo tackles. Defensive back DeMarkus Cunningham has been a major contributor with 46 total and 31 solo stops.
This should be another exciting matchup.
In the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), Miles College (6-2 overall, 5-1 league) will visit Albany State (4-4 overall, 4-2 league) on Saturday, Oct. 28. The kickoff will be at 1 p.m. The Golden Bears’ quarterback Edwin Kleinpeter should be a player to watch in this contest with his ability to throw the football down the field.
In other SIAC action, Tuskegee University (6-2 overall, 5-1 league) will host Clark Atlanta (0-8 overall, 0-6 league) on Saturday, Oct. 28. The kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Golden Tigers’ wide receiver Antonio Meeks remains a key part of the team’s passing game.
SWAC Standings
SWAC East Conference Overall
Florida A&M 5-0 6-1
Jackson State 3-2 5-3
Alabama A&M 2-2 4-3
Alabama State 2-2 3-3
Mississippi Valley State 1-3 1-6
Bethune-Cookman 0-4 1-6
SWAC West
Southern 3-1 4-3
Alcorn State 3-1 4-3
Prairie View A&M 3-1 3-4
Grambling State 2-2 3-4
Texas Southern 1-3 2-5
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0-4 1-6
SWAC Schedule for Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023
Bethune-Cookman at Grambling State 2 p.m. Grambling, La.
Mississippi Valley State at Alcorn State 2 p.m. Lorman, MS
Jackson State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2:00 p.m. Pine Bluff, AR
Alabama A&M at Alabama State 2:30 p.m. Birmingham, AL
Prairie View A&M at Florida A&M 4 p.m. Tallahassee, FL
Texas Southern at Southern 4 p.m. Baton Rouge, LA
SIAC Standings Conference Overall
Benedict College 6-0 8-0
Fort Valley State 6-1 6-2
Miles College 5-1 6-2
Tuskegee University 5-1 6-2
Edward Waters 5-2 5-3
Allen University 4-2 5-2
Albany State 4-2 4-4
Central State 2-4 3-5
Savannah State 1-5 2-6
Kentucky State 1-5 2-6
Lane College 1-5 1-7
Clark Atlanta 0-6 0-8
Morehouse College 0-6 0-8
SIAC Schedule for Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023
Miles College at Albany State 1 p.m. Albany, GA.
Virginia University of Lynchburg at Fort Valley State 2 p.m. Fort Valley, GA
Lane College at Central State 1 p.m. Wilberforce, OH
Clark Atlanta at Tuskegee University 2 p.m. Tuskegee, AL
Edward Waters at Allen University 2 p.m. Blythewood, SC
Kentucky State at Morehouse College 2 p.m. Atlanta, GA
Benedict College at Savannah State 4 p.m. Savannah, GA
Game of the Week: Alabama A&M at Alabama State 2:30 p.m. Birmingham, AL
