THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University football team will look to get into the win column as the Bulldogs have its 2024 home opener on Saturday in the 14^th Annual Louis Crews Classic against Kentucky State. Kickoff against the Thorobreds is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
Alabama A&M (0-1) is looking to rebound off of a 73-3 season-opening loss last weekend at SEC power Auburn. The Bulldogs fell behind early to the Tigers and could not recover, despite holding the football for more than 41 minutes. AAMU turns its attention to back-to-back home games and an opportunity to grab its first win of the season. The Bulldogs enter Saturday's contest having won six out of their last seven home openers.
 
Kentucky State (0-1) is also seeking its first win of the season after dropping its home opener last weekend, 69-7, to Virginia Union. The Thorobreds amassed 90 total yards of offense against the Panthers. KSU got a 53-yard interception return from Trevon Pope, which set up the opening score of the game as Virginia Union responded with 69 unanswered points. Kentucky State will be looking to spoil AAMU's home opener and win its fourth game in the series.
 
The game will be streamed live on the SWAC Digital Network as Ted Dixie (play-by-play) and Reggie Benson (analyst) have the call. In addition, fans can tune into WJAB 90.9 FM as Maurice Brooks (play-by-play) and L. Vann Pettaway (analyst) will call all the action.
 
Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor said the biggest difference from its opening week opponent to the second week is the amount of scholarships. With Auburn, the Tigers boasted 85 scholarship players, while AAMU had 63. This Saturday, Kentucky State will enter with less scholarships as an NCAA Division II opponent.
 
"We are FCS and they are Division II. We expect to win the game, expect to play well and play at a high level," Maynor said. "We've got 63 scholarships and they got close to 30, so I expect us to come out and play at a very high level.
 
"Auburn had 85 scholarships and they played like it. So, I told our guys I expect them to play the same way this week. We've got more scholarships than them. Our players are bigger, faster, stronger just like theirs (Auburn) were the same way. So, we should play the same way. That's what I expect come Saturday."
 

A LOOK INSIDE THE GAME ALABAMA A&M [0-1] vs. KENTUCKY STATE  [0-1]
Date / Time	Saturday, September 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Gameday
Location / Stadium	Huntsville, Alabama | Louis Crews Stadium
Tickets	Purchase Tickets Here
Game Program	Game 2 Program
Gameday Fan Information	Important Information About the Game
Game Theme	Throwback Jerseys & Alumni Appreciation Game
TV / Streaming	SWAC Digital Network
Radio	90.9 FM [WJAB]
Live Stats	aamusports.com or click here
Alabama A&M	Game Notes
Kentucky State	Game Notes
All-Time Series	Kentucky State leads, 3-2
First Meeting	Kentucky State 1, Alabama A&M 0 - Forfeit [1980]
Last Meeting	Alabama A&M 21, Kentucky State 13 [11.18.17]
Social Media	Twitter-X // Facebook // Instagram

 
LAST MEETING
Alabama A&M met Kentucky State to close the 2017 as the Bulldogs earned a 21-13 victory at Louis Crews Stadium.
 
After a scoreless opening quarter, Kentucky State and Alabama A&M traded points in the second, with the Thorobreds taking a 13-7 lead into the break as Kao Mahireyaa scored on a 13-yard touchdown run to close out the first half.
 
The second half belonged to Alabama A&M as Rod Randolph caught a 10-yard pass from Dylan Smith late in the third quarter as the Bulldogs grabbed a 14-13 advantage.
 
A Smith 11-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bailey midway through the final quarter sealed the victory as AAMU defeated Kentucky State.
 
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS

• Alabama A&M is 24-23-1 all-time in home openers
• The Bulldogs have won six out of their last seven home openers, dating back to the 2017 season
• AAMU's last home opening loss came in 2022 to Austin Peay (28-3)
• The Bulldogs are 80-49 all-time in games played in Louis Crews Stadium
• Alabama A&M is 9-4 in the Louis Crews Classic
• The Bulldogs have won five out of their last six Louis Crews Classic games, with the loss coming to Austin Peay
• AAMU head coach Connell Maynor needs just one win to reach 100 career coaching victories
• Cornelious Brown IV will get the start at quarterback for the second consecutive week
• Alabama A&M opens the season with five straight night games

 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – KENTUCKY STATE

• The Thorobreds step out of NCAA Division II play to visit Alabama A&M
• Kentucky State is coming off a 69-7 loss in the season opener to Virginia Union
• KSU amassed just 90 total yards of offense, including 62 on the ground against the Panthers
• The Thorobreds were just 2-of-11 on third downs in the season opener and surrendered 674 total yards of offense
• Denim Johnson got the start under center, going 5 of 14 passing for 28 yards and one score
• Jaun Gainious also saw action at the quarterback position
• Defensively, Keenan Cupit and Mike Jones lead the way with five tackles

 
ABOUT THE GAME

• This will be the 14^th edition of the Louis Crews Classic
• Alabama A&M and Kentucky State have never met in the Louis Crews Classic
• There have been five Louis Crews Classic games featuring the SWAC vs. the SIAC
• Alabama A&M is 4-1 against members of the SIAC in the Louis Crews Classic, with the lone loss coming to Tuskegee in 2013 (23-7)
• This is the second straight night game for Alabama A&M this season and first for Kentucky State

 
SERIES HISTORY 

• Alabama A&M and Kentucky State will be meeting for the sixth time
• The Thorobreds hold a slim, 3-2, all-time series lead
• Kentucky State won back-to-back games in 1996 and 1997
• Alabama A&M won the last matchup, 21-13, in 2017
• The Bulldogs are 1-2 in games decided by seven points or less

 
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

• Alabama A&M needs to protect the line of scrimmage
• AAMU needs to win the turnover battle
• The Bulldogs must avoid committing a ton of penalties 

 
LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT'S NEXT

• Alabama A&M continues its two-game homestand on Saturday, Sept. 14 against Georgetown
• This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs
• Georgetown opened the season with a 22-22 loss to Montana Tech and visit Pikeville on Saturday
• Tickets for the Louis Crews Classic, Coach's Breakfast and Kem concert are still available. To purchase visiting aamusports.com or call the ticket office at 256.372.7255 or 256.372.7254

 
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville's only Division I program - check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).