THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University football team returns from its open week seeking a third consecutive victory as the Bulldogs face rival Alabama State on Saturday in the 85th Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola.
 
Kickoff for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchup is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ as Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst) will have the call. Fans can also listen on WJAB 90.9 FM, with Chauncy Sanders handling play-by-play and Maurice Brooks providing pregame and postgame coverage.
 
Alabama A&M (6-2 overall, 3-1 SWAC) enters the rivalry matchup after a 61-31 Homecoming victory over Grambling State at Louis Crews Stadium. The Bulldogs piled up 669 yards of total offense as Cornelious Brown IV accounted for six touchdowns, Jaylan Bean caught four touchdown passes and David Faulk connected on a school-record 56-yard field goal.
 
Alabama State (4-3, 2-2) also returns from an open week after defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 21-15, on Oct. 17. The Hornets snapped a two-game losing streak behind three rushing touchdowns and a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions.
 
The Bulldogs will look to end Alabama State's four-game winning streak in the rivalry. The Hornets won last season's meeting, 56-13, while AAMU's most recent victory came in the 2021 fall matchup, 42-28.
 
ABOUT THE GAME

• Alabama A&M and Alabama State meet in the 85th Magic City Classic at Legion Field.
• Both teams return to action following an open week.
• The Bulldogs seek their third consecutive victory after defeating Bethune-Cookman and Grambling State.
• AAMU enters with a 3-1 conference record, while Alabama State stands at 2-2.
• Alabama A&M is seeking its first victory in the rivalry since 2021.

 
ALABAMA A&M AT A GLANCE

• Brown has completed 149 of 245 passes for 2,158 yards and 21 touchdowns.
• Jarel Williams leads the receiving corps with 39 catches for 686 yards and eight touchdowns.
• Bean has added 34 receptions for 577 yards and eight scores.
• The Bulldogs average 40.1 points and 485.3 yards of total offense per game.
• Defensively, AAMU allows 20.0 points and 279.5 yards per contest.
• Alabama A&M has recorded 21 sacks and seven interceptions.
• Brown threw for 417 yards and five touchdowns against Grambling State, adding an 8-yard rushing score.
• Bean finished with 10 receptions for a career-high 240 yards and four touchdowns in the Homecoming victory.
• Alabama A&M is receiving votes in the AFCA and Stats Perform Top 25 polls, while ranked No. 1 in the Black College Football and HBCU BOXTOROW Polls

 
ALABAMA STATE AT A GLANCE

• The Hornets average 25.7 points and 289.7 yards of total offense per game.
• Alabama State allows 17.9 points per contest.
• Jamarie Hostzclaw leads the rushing attack with 404 yards and six touchdowns.
• Jareese Howard has added 237 rushing yards and five scores.
• Randall King leads the team with 262 receiving yards.
• The Hornets have recorded 15 sacks and seven interceptions.
• Howard scored twice on the ground in the victory at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
• Zach Williams and Ta'Shaun Sims intercepted fourth-quarter passes to help preserve the win.
• Corey Lucius led Alabama State with 12 tackles against the Golden Lions.

 
SERIES HISTORY

• Alabama State has won the past four meetings.
• The Hornets defeated the Bulldogs, 56-13, in the 2025 Magic City Classic.
• Alabama A&M earned a 42-28 victory in the 2021 fall meeting.
• The teams have split their past 10 matchups, 5-5.

 
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

• Sustain offensive drives and create opportunities for Brown and the Bulldogs' receiving corps.
• Win at the line of scrimmage and limit Alabama State's rushing attack.
• Protect the football and maintain disciplined coverage on special teams.

 
LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT'S NEXT

• Alabama A&M travels to Prairie View A&M on Nov. 7.
• Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Prairie View, Texas.
• The Bulldogs return to Louis Crews Stadium on Nov. 14 to host Texas Southern for Senior Day and Military Salute.

 
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics — the Rocket City's only Division I program — visit aamusports.com. Follow the Bulldogs on Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), X (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (@aamuathletics).