Bulldogs Meet Hornets in SWAC Showdown at Historic Legion Field

The Alabama A&M University Bulldog Family is gathering in Birmingham for the 83^rd McDonald’s Magic City Classic Presented by Coca-Cola. There have been exciting events all week, but Magic City Classic Weekend begins when AAMU’s Marching Maroon & White Band, Royal Court and more, take to the streets of downtown Birmingham Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. for the Magic City Classic Parade.

At 10:00 a.m. it’s the Coors Light Pregame Tailgate Party on the West Side Parking Lot of historic Legion Field.

Kickoff for the 83rd football clash between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, two in-state SWAC rivals who come together every year to put on the No. 1 HBCU Classic in the country, is set for 2:30 p.m. 

Alabama A&M (3-3 overall, 1-1 SWAC) is coming off its open week and halted a two-game losing streak on Oct. 12 with a 56-12 rout of Bethune-Cookman. The Bulldogs exploded for 21 second-quarter points, the most in any quarter for AAMU this season in cruising to the Homecoming win. Alabama A&M rolled up 701 total yards, which marked the fourth time this season the Bulldogs had more than 450 total yards in a game.
 
Alabama State (3-3, 2-1) also enters Saturday's game off a bye week as the Hornets rolled past Mississippi Valley State, 54-17, on Oct. 12. The Hornets overcame an early 14-point deficit and scored the Delta Devils, 54-3, over the final three quarters. The 54 points were the most points scored under head coach Eddie Robinson Jr., and the most since scoring 53 against Miles in the Turkey Day Classic in 2016.
 
The game will be aired on ESPNU as Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst) will have the call. In addition, fans can tune into WJAB 90.9 FM as Ted Dixie (play-by-play) and Reggie Benson (analyst) will call all the action. 
 
Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor said he expects Saturday's game is one of the biggest this season between the two programs.
 
“It's the biggest game of the season,” Maynor said. “We always say the next game is the biggest game, but this is the biggest game, because it is the Magic City Classic. It doesn't get any bigger than this in HBCU and FCS football. It's probably going to be 70,000 in the stadium and another 70,000 outside of it. It's just a huge game for both schools, the community, HBCUs and we're just glad to be a part of it.” 
 
“We expect this will be another great game. Two years ago, they won on the last play. Last year it was close up until halftime, where they got a Hail Mary right before halftime and got a blocked field goal in the third quarter. Three years ago, the game went into overtime so we expect another great game. They got a great defense and we're looking forward to the challenge.”

Schedule of events and more at: https://aamusports.com/news/2024/10/24/football-rivalry-game-bulldogs-meet-hornets-in-annual-magic-city-classic.aspx