Watch the Magic City Classic (10-27-09)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Alabama State University football team heads to Birmingham Saturday for its annual battle with in-state rival Alabama A&M at the 68th State Farm Magic City Classic presented by Coca Cola.

The Magic City Classic, which has become one of the largest attended and longest running HBCU classics in the nation, is played at Legion Field and kicks off at 2:30 p.m.

ASU enters Saturday's clash at 4-3 overall and 1-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference following last week's impressive 24-17 victory over Alcorn State. Alabama A&M (4-3, 1-2) looks to snap a two-game losing skid and is well rested after a bye last Saturday.

This marks the 73rd ASU-A&M meeting on the gridiron with the Bulldogs holding a slight 35-33-3 lead in the series. AAMU also owns a 34-30-3 advantage in the Magic City Classic, including its current four-game win streak. The last seven editions of the Magic City Classic have been extremely competitive featuring a margin of victory of a touchdown or less in every meeting. Last year's game saw A&M escape with a 17-16 win.

This season, the Hornets and Bulldogs both rank among the SWAC leaders in rushing offense. Alabama A&M leads the league at 163.7 yards per game while Bama State is third at 149.3. Bulldogs senior running back Ulysses Banks averages 101 yards per game as the SWAC's top individual rusher. However, ASU's defense is second in the conference and 12th in the nation at stopping the run, allowing just 87.8 ypg. The Hornets have not allowed an opponent to gain 100 yards rushing this season.

ASU quarterback Anthony Speight, who made his first start of the season against Alcorn State, finished with a pair of touchdown passes and 161 yards of passing. Speight was named the Heritage Sports Radio Network football fan poll National Player of the Week following his game-winning performance.

Tickets for Saturday's game can be purchased through Ticketmaster (1-800-745-3000) or at the Legion Field ticket office on Saturday starting at 7 a.m. Advanced ticket prices are $20 for general admission and $25 for reserved with game day prices set at $35 (reserved)/$30 (general admission).

The game will be carried live on the radio by WVAS (90.7 FM) and online on ESPN360. ESPNU also will be broadcasting the game on a tape-delayed basis Saturday at 9:30 p.m.

Information about the game, along with the complete schedule of events for the Magic City Classic, can be found online at: www.themagiccityclassic.com.

Following the Magic City Classic, ASU visits Jackson State Nov. 7 for the squad's final true road contest of the season. The Hornets and Tigers meet in Jackson, Miss., at 4 p.m.