HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Already the biggest game of the year when the schedule comes out, the 79^th Annual Magic City Classic takes on extra meaning in its first ever spring edition as Alabama A&M (3-0, 2-0 SWAC) and rival Alabama State (3-2, 3-1 SWAC) battle for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) East Division Title and a berth in the league's championship game.
 
Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 with the game to be broadcast live on ESPNU from venerable Legion Field. Fans can follow all the action through live stats on www.AAMUSports.com, the official online home of Alabama A&M Athletics.
 
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST JACKSON STATE
Playing in back-to-back weeks for the first time since November 2019, Alabama A&M cranked up the offense as they took down Jackson State 52-43 on Saturday, April 10.
 
Senior quarterback Aqeel Glass (St. Louis, Mo.) had a career day, setting Division I Era program records with 440 yards (27-of-40) and six touchdowns through the air, adding another on the ground. That effort fueled a 28-21 lead at the half which quickly expanded to 45-28 just into the fourth quarter. From there the Bulldogs closed out the nine point victory.
 
Senior wideout Zabrian Moore (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) led the way with 114 yards on four grabs, one going for a 61-yard touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim (Miramar, Fla.) added five catches, two for TDs, and 94 yards and junior tailback Gary Quarles (Cottondale, Ala.) had 86-yards rushing and 47-yards through the air.
 
A HISTORIC OFFENSE
That outing against JSU delivered not just individual historical marks, but also as a team.
 
As a whole, the offense accomplished something only done nine times since the program moved to Division I in 1998 and that is score at least 50 points. The DI Era program record is 63 in a 63-20 victory over Division II Central State on September 28, 2019 but the Bulldogs' 52 points on the day are the most against a Division I opponent since hanging 58 (58-23) on Mississippi Valley State on November 21, 2008.
 
ALABAMA A&M 50-PLUS POINT GAMES (DIVISION I ERA – SINCE 1998)
W, 52-43 at Jackson State 4/10/21
W, 63-20 vs. Central State 9/28/19*
W, 50-42 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/16/13
W, 58-23 at Mississippi Valley State 11/21/08
W, 52-6 vs. Jackson State 11/5/05
W, 50-10 vs. Prairie View A&M 9/27/03
W, 63-0 vs. Texas Southern 10/11/03
W, 50-0 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/22/03
W, 54-0 at Tuskegee 10/16/99*
*Indicates Division II Opponent
 
GLASS RAKES IN NATIONAL HONORS, LENDVAY KEEPS ON KEEPIN' ON
That premier performance on ESPN elevated Glass in the eyes of at least a pair of organizations as he was named the Stats Perform FCS and BOXTOROW National Player of the Week and earned that honor for the SWAC on Monday, April 12.
 
It is the first time that Glass has earned national weekly honors from Stats Perform FCS and the second time for BOXTOROW. He picked up the latter following a 27-10 victory in the 2018 Magic City Classic over rival Alabama State.
 
Meanwhile, on the rare occasion when the offense didn't find the endzone, freshman punter Troy Lendvay (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) took care of business – again.
 
In his second opportunity to do so (with just two games in the books) the northern import was named SWAC Specialist of the Week as he continued to perform when called upon as he factored in to the field position game significantly at JSU.
 
Against the Tigers he punted four times for 163 yards, including a long of 53-yards. That would be one of two kicks of at least 50 yards, the other being a 51-yard boot (with only a seven-yard return) midway through the first quarter.
 
The 53-yarder would come at a critical time as the Tigers had just scored to pull within 35-28 in the third quarter of a shootout.
 
Following a three-and-out that was about to give JSU the ball back with 9:42 left in the frame, Lendvay got into one and buried the Tigers at their own 22-yard line following a miniscule three-yard return. On the day he would deliver an average of 40.8 on his four kicks.
 
He previously won the award on March 8 following his first career game.
 
CRACKING THE TOP-25 WITH MAJOR FIREPOWER
With a pair of convincing efforts, Alabama A&M has now found their way into the FCS Coaches Poll, tying for No. 25.
 
Having opened the season with a 2-0 forfeit victory over Alcorn State, the Bulldogs then the field with a 31-7 win at South Carolina State on March 6. Following a 35-day layoff they returned to the field at Jackson State, delivering that 52-43 shootout victory.
 
In terms of national statistical rankings, the Bulldogs have eight Top-10 entries, including seven on offense. Entering the week they lead the nation in redzone offense (1.000), are second in passing efficiency and (176.45) and yards per completion (16.95), fourth in sacks allowed (0.50), fifth in passing offense (356.0), sixth in scoring offense (41.5 ppg.), eighth in first down defense (40) and ninth in total offense (485.5).
 
TITLE TILT
With the way it has shaped up in this most unique year, the Magic City Classic will serve as entry to the SWAC Championship Game, at least from the East Division.
 
The winner will advance to that title tilt on Saturday, May 1 with a chance to host it, depending upon the results from Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-0, 3-0 SWAC), Prairie View A&M (2-0, 2-0 SWAC) and Southern ()4-1, 3-1 SWAC.
 
ABOUT THE ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY HORNETS
Alabama State enters the game having dismantled Mississippi Valley State 42-17 on April 10 and with an overall record of 3-2.
 
They opened with a narrow 24-21 loss to Southern (2/26) before collecting their 2-0 forfeit win over Alcorn State (3/6) and a 35-28 win over Jackson State (3/20). Following a no contest against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3/27) due to weather the Hornets dropped a 14-7 decision to South Carolina State (4/3).
 
The schedule oddity between all of those games this season – ASU has yet to actually play a game away from Montgomery, Alabama as all that actually saw the teams hit the field came on home turf.
 
Scouting The Alabama A&M University Bulldogs
Record: 3-0, 2-0 SWAC
Last Time Out: W, 52-43 at Jackson State on April 10
Streak: Four Wins

Quick Links
Football Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
 
Individual Statistical Offensive Leaders
Passing Yards: Aqeel Glass – 712
Passing Touchdowns: Aqeel Glass – 10
Completions: Aqeel Glass – 42
Completion Percentage: Aqeel Glass – .575
Rushing Yards: Gary Quarles – 178
Rushing Touchdowns: Aqeel Glass – 1
Carries: Gary Quarles – 37
Receiving Yards: Odieu Hilaire – 183
Receiving Touchdowns: Odieu Hilaire, Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim – 3
Receptions: Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim – 11

Individual Statistical Defensive Leaders
Tackles: Armoni Holloway – 14
Tackles (Solo): Armoni Holloway – 12
Tackles (Assisted): Seven Players – 2
Tackles For Loss: Armoni Holloway – 3
Sacks: Marcus Cushine – 3.0
Interceptions: Quantravis Kelly – 2
 
Individual Statistical Special Team Leaders
Field Goals Made: Spencer Corey – 2
Punting Yards: Troy Lendvay – 366
Touchbacks: Troy Lendvay – 1
Inside 20-Yard Line: N/A – 0
Punt Returns: Keion Wakefield – 3
Punt Return Yards: Odieu Hilaire – 40
Kickoff Returns: Cameron Young – 2
Kickoff Return Yards: Cameron Young – 46
 
Team Statistics
Scoring: 41.5
Passing: 356.0
Rushing: 129.5
Total Offense: 485.5
Touchdowns: 11
Kickoff Return Average: 21.0
Punt Return Yards Average: 14.2
Time of Possession: 29:31
Sacks: 7
Interceptions: 2
Tackles: 120
Tackles For Loss: 14


Scouting The Alabama State University Hornets
Record: 3-2, 3-1 SWAC
Last Time Out: W, 42-17 vs. Mississippi Valley State on April 10
Streak: One Win

Quick Links
Football Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
 
Individual Statistical Offensive Leaders
Passing Yards: Ryan Nettles – 902
Passing Touchdowns: Ryan Nettles – 8
Completions: Ryan Nettles – 83
Completion Percentage: Ryan Nettles – .593
Rushing Yards: Ezra Gray – 335
Rushing Touchdowns: Ezra Gray – 3
Carries: Ezra Gray – 65
Receiving Yards: Jeremiah Hixon – 234
Receiving Touchdowns: Jeremiah Hixon – 3
Receptions: Michael Jefferson – 20


Individual Statistical Defensive Leaders
Tackles: Irshaad Davis – 32
Tackles (Solo): Irshaad Davis – 24
Tackles (Assisted): Colton Adams – 13
Tackles For Loss: Andrew Ogletree, Devonte Webster – 3.5
Sacks: Andrew Ogletree, Cameron Rampersaud – 2.0
Interceptions: Five Players – 1
 
Individual Statistical Special Team Leaders
Field Goals Made: N/A – 0
Punting Yards: Aubrey Grace – 848
Touchbacks: Aubrey Grace – 2
Inside 20-Yard Line: Aubrey Grace – 7
Punt Returns: Bryan West – 5
Punt Return Yards: Bryan West – 57
Kickoff Returns: Ezra Gray – 10
Kickoff Return Yards: Ezra Gray – 185
 
Team Statistics
Scoring: 26.3
Passing: 227.0
Rushing: 146.8
Total Offense: 373.5
Touchdowns: 15
Kickoff Return Average: 16.4
Punting Yards Average: 7.4
Time of Possession: 30:08
Sacks: 11
Interceptions: 5
Tackles: 280
Tackles For Loss: 36.0