An HBCU classic with years of history will write another exciting chapter on Saturday, especially with both teams entering a bye week contest.
Alabama State and Alabama A&M will meet in Birmingham for their annual 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 good as a team. Some guys gave us a chance to be healthy and allow our players to focus on the gaps.”
“You always want to play next week after a tough loss, but we gave our side time to get healthy,” Hornets Head Coach Eddie Robinson Jr. said. he added. “Guys Desmond Daniels, Rudy Jean Louis and our starting corner — who missed the Jackson game — should be back. That’s a big plus.”
Hornets’ previous game It was a 38-34 loss at Jackson Stateleading the Tigers in the Swac Eastern Division Race. Robinson isn’t worried about the game or anything outside of the magic city classic, or his team.
“You can’t control what happened in the past. Worrying about the future creates anxiety,” he said. “We’re focused on winning today – get to class, be on time, have a big Saturday. You’ve earned Saturday.”
AMU defeated Mississippi Valley State 45-2 Ahead of their bye week and now BaMA State, Bula State is taking notice as the Bulldogs look to keep their Swac East Title alive.
“What makes it so powerful is how personal it is,” he said. “There are kids who played high school ball together, families with members on both sides. It makes it real.”
Quarterback Quad Brown is still questionable for Saturday’s game, but Robinson Brown or backup Eric Hadley are being drafted, Shadow said.
“They don’t change the game much, but every QB has different strengths,” he said. “You have to watch more movies to prepare for both.”
Andrew Body is ASU’s go-to QB and Shadow is aware of his considerable talents, calling him “one of the best in FCS football.”
“Their guilt goes through him,” he said. “He’s effective in both the run and the passing game. We’ll have to do a big job of limiting him, especially when we get him down on third down when he plays with his legs.”
Both coaches know what this game means to both schools, with Robinson being a Magic City classic and a veteran whose shadow is a first-timer.
“To our team, the game is for us,” he said. “All the events and parties – they’re not for us. The game is where we show who we are.”
“It’s probably the most exciting and biggest week of the year for the football team, the school and myself,” Robinson said. “We’re just happy to be a part of it.”
