MONTGOMERY—The countdown is on as the 89^th Turkey Day Classic against Tuskegee is only three days away.  The Hornets football team usually has Monday off, but today ASU was on the field finalizing plans for their game with the Tigers.
 
“Today was a bit different because normally we don't practice on Monday,” Head Coach Reggie Barlow said.  “We have some guys that have class on Monday's and we have to piece some guys together.  We're still getting ready to play and thankfully we have tomorrow to straighten some things out.”
 
Alabama State's last game was back on Nov. 10^th which was a 31-30 win over Southern University.  So the Hornets have been hitting each over a week and they are ready to face another team.
 
“It is almost like the preseason when you have so many days to practice and get ready for one game,” Barlow said.  “It is the constant repetition of running one play and looking for one call.”
 
With these two teams facing each other every year, each program knows what the other does well and it all comes down to execution.
 
“At this point in the season they have had a lot of reps doing what they do,” Barlow said.  “I imagine there may be one or two plays they may add depending on a wrinkle they may have seen in us, but I think they are going to do what they do.  They are really good at it and they have scored a lot of points.  Defensively they are good so we just have to be focused.”
 
The Turkey Day Classic is scheduled for Thursday Nov. 22 at 3 p.m.  It is the official opening of the New ASU Stadium and the game will be televised on ESPNU TV and can be heard on WVAS FM 90.7
 
The Hornets will be back at practice Tuesday at 11 a.m.