THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University football team returns to action after the bye weekend as the Bulldogs face off against rival Alabama State in the annual Amazon Magic City Classic, presented by Coca-Cola, in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Saturday. Kickoff against the Hornets is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. 
 
Saturday's game will be the 84^th installment of the Magic City Classic as Alabama A&M owns a 43-37-3 all-time record in the series, which dates back to 1940.
 
Alabama A&M (4-3 overall, 1-2 SWAC) comes into the game off a 45-25 Homecoming win on Oct. 11 against Mississippi Valley State. The Bulldogs racked up 240 yards on the ground and after falling behind 9-0, AAMU outscored MVSU, 38-10 over the next three quarters to pull away for the victory. 
 
Alabama State (4-2, 2-1) is coming off a heartbreaking 38-34 loss to Jackson State on Oct. 11. The Hornets had an opportunity to steal the Homecoming win at JSU, but Jamarie Hostzclaw was stopped short of the goal line as time expired, giving the Tigers the victory.  
 
The game will air live on ESPN+ (Watch later on ESPNU) as Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst) will have the call. Fans can tune into WJAB (90.9 FM) as Maurice Brooks (play-by-play), Thai Floyd (analyst), Evan Hayes (pregame and postgame) and Chauncy Sanders (pregame and postgame) will bring you all the action.
 
"We played seven games straight and had a lot of guys banged up. It was good to get those guys some rest and ready to go for this week," Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade said. "We are excited about the game this Saturday. Alabama State is a great team, and I know Coach (Eddie) Robinson will have his team ready to go in this rivalry game."
 
ABOUT THE GAME

• Saturday marks the 84^th installment of the Magic City Classic
• Alabama A&M is 1-1 in Classic games this season
• The game features two high powered offenses
• AAMU head coach Sam Shade is making his first appearance in the Magici City Classic
• The Hornets are 10-2 in Classic games under head coach Eddie Robinson Jr.
• Alabama State has yet to taste defeat in the Magic City Classic under Eddie Robinson Jr.

 
BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M ended a two-game losing streak on Oct. 11 with a Homecoming win over Mississippi Valley State
• The Bulldogs' offense leads the SWAC in passing and ranks 3rd in scoring and 4th in total offense
• Kicker David Faulk is perfect this season on field goals since taking over the duties on Sept. 27 (4-for-4)
• Quarterback Eric Handley has been named to the STATS Perform Jerry Rice Award Watch List
• The Bulldogs have scored in the opening quarter in 12 straight games, dating back nearly 365 days (Nov. 2, 2024 vs. Southern)
• Alabama A&M ranks first in the FCS in blocked kicks allowed, fifth in fourth down conversion percentage, ninth in passing offense and 10^th in fourth down conversion percentage defense
• Keon Handley Jr. is fourth in the country in fumbles recovered, while Franck Pierre is 21^st in yards per reception

 
HORNETS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama State is coming off a tough loss on the road to Jackson State in a battle for the SWAC East Division lead.
• The Tigers stopped the Hornets at the one-yard line on the final play of the game to preserve a 38-34 win
• Alabama State ranks 1st or 2nd in the SWAC in 10 offensive categories
• The Hornets are led by Andrew Body, who leads the SWAC in nine offensive categories and ranks in the FCS top 10 in six statistical categories
• The Hornets offensive line has paved the way for three 200-yard rushing games, including a season-high 388 yards and five touchdowns against Bethune-Cookman 
• Alabama State is receiving votes in the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 Poll and the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll

 
SERIES HISTORY 

• Alabama A&M and Alabama State will meet for the 84th time
• The Bulldogs lead the all-time series, 43-37-3
• In the past 10 meetings, the series is tied at 5
• The Hornets have won three straight in the series
• AAMU has outscored ASU, 1,498-1,477 over the previous 83 games
• The Bulldogs are 13-4 in games decided by three points or less
• Alabama State has not won four consecutive games in the series since 1990-1995, when the Hornets won six straight

 
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

• The Bulldogs will return to the road next Saturday (Nov. 1) as Alabama A&M visits Grambling State
• AAMU has won three straight in the series, its longest winning streak over GSU
• Grambling State is 22-9 all time against Alabama A&M
• The Tigers last beat the Bulldogs during the 2021 season, a 37-28 victory
• The last time AAMU visited Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium was during the 2023 season when the Bulldogs spoiled the Tigers' homecoming with a 45-24 victory

 
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