THE HILL | It has been 15 years since the last time the Alabama A&M University football team met Tennessee State, but that all comes to an end on Saturday as the two historic programs will meet in the inaugural Legacy Series. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
 
Saturday's game marks the 24^th installment of the series, with Tennessee State leading the all-time series, 15-8.
 
"This is another outstanding game on our schedule, and I know our fans are excited for the renewal of this rivalry," Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade said. "We are looking to continue our success from last week and want to put together back-to-back victories. We played well offensively last week, and we want to continue to execute at a high level."  
 
The game will air live on ESPN+ and fans can tune into WJAB (90.9 FM) as Thai Floyd (play-by-play), Maurice Brooks (analyst) and Evan Hayes (pregame and postgame) will bring you all the action.




 
ABOUT THE GAME

• Saturday's matchup marks the first of four games to be played in The Legacy Series
• Both teams enter the game at 1-1
• The two programs have not met since 2010
• Both programs have high-profile coaches roaming the sidelines
• The game marks the third of four straight home contests for Tennessee State to begin the season
• The Bulldogs are seeking their first road win, having dropped a pair dating back to the end of the 2024 season

 
COACHING CONNECTIONS

• Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade is no stranger to this matchup
• Sam Shade and special teams coordinator Amos Jones coaches with Tennessee State defensive coordinator Gregg Williams while they were in Cleveland together under head coach Hue Jackson
• Tennessee State associate head coach and linebackers coach Cedric Thornton spent last season wearing the Maroon & White
• Sam Shade and TSU head coach Reggie Barlow both played in the NFL
• Tennessee State head coach Reggie Barlow is a graduate of AAMU rival Alabama State
• TSU safeties coach Dexter Jackson was the 2003 Super Bowl MVP

 
BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M is coming off a 41-31 victory last Saturday in the 15^th Annual Louis Crews Classic
• AAMU quarterback Cornelious Brown IV was firing on all cylinders in the win over Alcorn State last week, going 25-of-33 passing for 260 yards, while adding 69 yards on the ground
• Brown's five total touchdowns helped him earn multiple players of the week accolades, including the STATS Perform HBCU National Player of the Week honor
• Alabama A&M has started fast in the past two games, including a 21-point first quarter against Alcorn State
• The Bulldogs moved up it the NCAA's Digital HBCU Power Rankings after the win over the Braves, jumping from 15^th to 10^th
• During the first two games, AAMU has yet to attempt a field goal

 
TIGERS AT A GLANCE

• Tennessee State comes into the contest having dropped a 59-3 home decision last week to top-ranked North Dakota State
• The Tigers registered just four first downs in the loss and punter Mark Shenouda booted eight punts for an average of 42.4 yards. 
• TSU quarterbacks have combined to complete passes to nine different receivers across the first two games
• Running back Kendric Rhymes is no stranger to SWAC opponents, having spent the past three years at Southern, where he rushed for 645 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024
• Former Bulldog defensive back Ravon Johnson will be facing his old team, having played last season in the Maroon & White, registering 15 total tackles

 
SERIES HISTORY 

• Alabama A&M and Tennessee State will be meeting for the 24^th time
•  This will be the first meeting in the series since 2010
• The biggest win for the Bulldogs came in 2007, a 49-23 victory in the John Merritt Classic
• The Bulldogs are 6-4 in the last 10 meetings against the Braves
• AAMU is 4-0 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

• Back at home next Saturday (Sept. 20) as Alabama A&M welcomes Lane College to town
• This will be the seventh meeting as the Bulldogs have yet to drop a game in the series
• AAMU is 5-0-1 in the all-time matchup, which dates back to the 1948 season
• Alabama A&M and Lane last met in 2023, with the Bulldogs rolling to a 51-13 victory at Louis Crews Stadium.

 
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).