Bulldogs able to even things up in the SWAC East

Legions Field - Birmingham, AL

RB Ta'Mar Scott scoots through the "Hornet" defense.

Pulling up to Legions Field in Birmingham, Alabama was unlike any scene I’ve ever seen at a football game for as long as I’ve been following the sport.  A sea of tents and barbecue grills.  Clouds of smoke billowing from each pit with the smell of some down-home barbecue soaked ribs.  Music blasting from cars, radios, and turntables alike.  And people.  A lot, a lot of people.  And I haven’t even stepped inside of the stadium yet.

Inside, the focus is different.  Fans decked out in their black and gold or maroon and white in any combination they may see fit.  Concession stands with lines so long, you start to question if these people actually came from the scene outside.  Little girls dressed up in their parents’ alma mater’s cheerleading uniform and little boys so fresh and so clean in their replica jerseys.  

This, my friends, is the Magic City Classic.  Magical, and a classic indeed.  For a moment, albeit a brief one, you just might forget that there is a football game that needs to be played.   But once the Alabama State University Hornets and the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs took the field, it wasn’t hard to nestle in and get ready for a good one.

The Hornets came into Saturday’s matchup with a 6-1 record and one of the most prolific offenses in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, led by senior QB Tarvaris Jackson.  Jackson, “The T-Jack Attack” as he’s known in Montgomery, is second in school history in touchdown passes with 55 and looked to add to that total today.  The Bulldogs boasts one of the best defenses in 1-AA football and looked to even things up in the Eastern Division of the SWAC.  The offense isn’t bad either, led by junior Nic Luke who is second in rushing in the SWAC with 557 yards.  Two different attacks with the same intent…bragging rights in the state of Alabama.

Alabama State opened up the game pretty much how everyone expected, spread offense with Jackson in the shotgun.  Jackson struck early with a nice 51 yard connection to WR Alvance Robinson to get the Hornets to the A&M 29 yard line.  The play led to a huge eruption and the crowd was amped, but where it counts, it only led to a field goal.

Jackson gets the "Hornet" passing attack underway.

A&M showed promise on their opening a drive, successfully moving the ball using their ground game.  Unfortunately, that ground game wasn’t effective on a fourth and two conversion, putting the ball in Tarvaris Jackson’s hands once again.  And again, he did not disappoint, putting the Hornets on the board with a 24 yard touchdown strike to RB Keldrick Williams in 1:16.  A three and out by A&M gave the Hornets the ball again allowing Jackson to connect with Robinson for the second time on a 23 yard score, with the point after being no good.  The Hornets were able to jump out early to end the first quarter with a 16-0 lead.

The Hornets did come down to earth in the second quarter and both teams traded meaningless positions.  The Bulldogs were then ignited by a 48 yard punt return for a touchdown by Emmanuel Edwards, which was capped with a successful two point conversion run by QB Kelcy Luke.  The A&M defense continued to tame the Hornet offense and forced another three and out possession.  After some strong running by Ta’Mar Scott, the Bulldogs once again hit paydirt with a 16 yard run by Scott with another successful two point conversion by Luke, evening the score at 16. 

With 1:21 remaining in the half, Jackson had time enough to gather his troops for another shot at the endzone.  Like the field general he his, Jackson made the passes he needed and finally connected on a 27 yard touchdown completion to senior WR Chris Maddox to put the Hornets up at the half, 22-16.

QB Tarvaris Jackson is considered one of the premier quarterbacks in the SWAC.

Halftime, of course, was what was to be expected at a Historically Black College and University football game of this proportion.  The Marching Maroon and White and the Mighty Marching Hornets put on a show.  Now, this is certainly one reporter’s opinion, the Mighty Marching Hornets got down.  Easy.  The ladies in the crowd were also entertained by the few words said by the game’s honored guest, LL Cool J, but it was quite evident that LL was a passing thought as the bands took the field.

The third quarter slowed the game to a grinding halt, as neither team could follow up on the adrenaline felt in the first half.  The Bulldogs continued to grind it out on the ground, while the Hornets failed to get their passing attack back on track.  A&M was able to start the fourth quarter off right, as Luke hooked up with WR Kevin Francis for his only touchdown pass of the day from 17 yards out.  

Jackson led his Hornets down the field once again, with a key completion to RB Robert Randolph for 39 yards, getting the Hornets into Bulldog territory.  Jackson then connected with his 6’6” receiver, Lorenzo Hoffman, putting the Hornets up 28-23 with 8:06 remaining in the game. 

The pace of the game has certainly picked up from the lackluster third quarter performance of both teams.  The crowd has also picked up intensity, sensing that this may go down to the wire.  First, the Bulldogs have to answer.  And answer they do.

WR Lorenzo Hoffman gets lifted by a SS Marcus Black.

On perhaps the best and most important drive of the day, Kelcy Luke was able to shine.  Luke drove his Bulldogs 69 yards in 11 plays while eating up 5:16 off of the clock.  Luke exhibited timely decision making and great clock management before scoring from one yard out to put the Bulldogs up 29-28 and Scott, who has looked impressive all night, was able to stick it in for two to put A&M up by three, 31-28.

With 2:36 left in the game, Tarvaris Jackson still had to time to do what most expected him to do.  Drive the Hornets right down the field and win the game!!!  Not this time.  The A&M pressure was too intense, sacking Jackson for a 14 yard loss bringing a third and long for the Hornet offense.  Again, the Bulldog defense held.  With time winding down, State had to no choice but to go for it on fourth and forever, 26 actually, but still.  Jackson hit his favorite target, Robinson, who then fumbled giving the Bulldogs the victory it needed and certainly deserved in this classic battle. 

Jackson finished with 316 yards passing and four touchdowns, but those number just weren't enough to get past a solid A&M defense.  A defense that was willing to bend, but not break.  A&M did not allow State to hurt them with a big play.  And that consistent play got head coach Anthony Jones and his Bulldogs the win.

With things evened up in the SWAC-East, State and A&M will battle to keep their records in tact to face the Western division champs in the SWAC Championship Game.  For now, the Magic City Classic will certainly appease my appetite.  Until next year……

Players of the Game

(Game Day Players in Red)

Alabama A&M

WR Emmanuel Edwards; QB Kelcy Luke; RB Ta'Mar Scott; LB Johnny Baldwin; LB Avery Moland; FB Jacques Pyant

Alabama State

QB Tarvaris Jackson; WR Alvance Robinson; LB Kerry Frazier; WR Lorenzo Hoffman; RB Robert Randolph