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4SHOT Sports College Hoops Magic City Classic Bulldogs able to even things up in the SWAC East Legions Field - Birmingham, AL
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
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 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,
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. 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. 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 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…… © Copyright 2006 by 4SHOT Sports |
