9 min read
Major Takeaways
- Alabama A&M beat Alabama State 31 to 28 in the 85th Magic City Classic at Legion Field, ending a run of four straight losses in the rivalry.
- Cornelius Brown IV threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns, and Kolton Nero ran for 81 yards and the late score that held up as the winner.
- The Bulldogs improved to 7 and 2 overall and 4 and 1 in the SWAC, strengthening their hold on first place in the SWAC East.
- Delaware State rallied past Norfolk State 36 to 33 in Philadelphia, and Arkansas Pine Bluff routed Bethune Cookman 63 to 21 in a wild Week 9 across HBCU football.
- Birmingham police said one person was killed and eight others were wounded in a shooting near Legion Field after the game, and the case remained under investigation on Sunday morning.
The Magic City Classic is never just a football game. On Saturday at Legion Field, it was a fight for bragging rights, for the SWAC East lead, and for a full year of pride across Black Alabama.
Alabama A&M took all of it home. The Bulldogs beat Alabama State 31 to 28 in the 85th edition of the classic, a slugfest that stayed undecided until the final minute.
For our community, this rivalry is family business. Generations of graduates from Huntsville and Montgomery fill the same stadium, wear their colors with pride, and settle the argument on the field.
1. The Bulldogs Struck First in the Magic City Classic
Alabama A&M set the tone early. Brown led a long opening march that covered 94 yards and ended with a short scoring pass to Jaylan Bean.
The Bulldogs scored again early in the second quarter. Brown found Imari Conley for a touchdown, and the lead grew to 14 to 0.
Alabama State refused to fold. The Hornets stuffed Brown at the goal line, then drove 98 yards the other way.
Jareese Howard finished that drive with a 17 yard touchdown run. It was the first of three scores on the day for Howard.
A blocked field goal just before halftime kept the margin at seven points. Alabama A&M led 14 to 7 at the break, but nothing felt safe.
2. A Second Half Full of Answers
Alabama State opened the second half with a bold onside kick recovery. A fumble moments later handed the ball right back, and Alabama A&M turned the mistake into a field goal.
Howard and the Hornets answered again and again. Each time the Bulldogs stretched the lead, Alabama State found a response behind true freshman quarterback Aaron Frye.
Brown scored on a nine yard run early in the fourth quarter to make it 24 to 14. Howard punched in another touchdown, and the gap closed to three points.
The game had become exactly what the classic promises. Two proud programs traded blows while a season of work hung on every snap.
3. Kolton Nero Delivered the Moment That Held Up
With the lead down to three points late, Alabama A&M needed one play. Nero gave the Bulldogs two.
He broke loose for a run of 61 yards, then finished the short drive himself. His four yard touchdown with 3 minutes and 47 seconds left pushed the lead to 31 to 21.
Alabama State still was not done. Daionte Hicks returned the kickoff 86 yards, deep into Bulldogs territory.
Howard scored from three yards out with 3 minutes and 1 second left. Suddenly the score was 31 to 28, and Legion Field was roaring.
The Hornets got the ball back one last time with 1 minute and 37 seconds to play. The Bulldogs brought pressure, forced a fourth down throw to fall incomplete, and took a knee to end it.
Brown finished with 216 passing yards and two touchdowns. Nero ran for 81 yards and a score, and linebacker DJ Barber piled up 13 tackles for the winners.
Alabama State produced 420 yards of offense in the loss. Moral victories do not count in the standings, but the Hornets earned respect in defeat.
4. Good Was Not Great Enough for Alabama State
The loss was the first in this game for Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson Jr. His teams had won the classic four straight times, including a 56 to 13 rout last season.
Robinson kept his message honest after the game. He said his team played a good game, but needed a great game to win.
He pointed to the small moments that decided it. A blocked kick before halftime, and penalties that extended two Bulldogs scoring drives, loomed large in a three point loss.
Alabama State fell to 4 and 4 overall and 2 and 3 in the league. The Hornets now likely must win out and still hope for help to reach the conference title game.
For Alabama A&M coach Sam Shade, the win was a first against his rival. His program has climbed from a 4 and 8 finish last season to the top of the SWAC East. Our full football coverage tracks the race from here.
5. Delaware State Stunned Norfolk State in Philadelphia
The drama was not limited to Birmingham. In Philadelphia, Delaware State rallied to beat Norfolk State 36 to 33 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The game carried a name of its own, the Battle of the Legends. Delaware State coach DeSean Jackson faced Norfolk State coach Michael Vick, two former stars now leading HBCU programs.
Philadelphia native Marqui Adams made his first start of the season and threw for 243 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 69 yards.
Adams tied the game at 33 with a 20 yard scoring pass to Kyree Benton with 7 minutes and 47 seconds left. A late fumble recovery then set up the finish.
Freshman Matteo Bracalenti drilled a 35 yard field goal as time expired. A paid crowd of 32,567 watched Delaware State improve to 5 and 4 overall and 1 and 1 in the MEAC.
Norfolk State quarterback DaJean Golmond threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. The Spartans fell to 4 and 5, and their title hopes took a hard hit.
6. Pine Bluff and Texas Southern Shook Up the SWAC West
Arkansas Pine Bluff delivered the loudest statement of the day. The Golden Lions scored the first 56 points of the game and led 49 to 0 at halftime.
The final score was 63 to 21 over Bethune Cookman. Pine Bluff forced five interceptions, returned two of them for touchdowns, and rushed for 333 yards.
Jaylen Jennings ran for 103 yards and two scores. Just one week after Bethune Cookman stunned Jackson State, the Wildcats fell to 5 and 4 and opened the door at the top of the SWAC East.
Texas Southern added more chaos in Houston. The Tigers beat Grambling State 23 to 20 in overtime after trailing 17 to 3.
Athean Renfro Jr. ran for 232 yards and two touchdowns, with long scoring runs of 75 and 86 yards in the fourth quarter. Cam’Ron McCoy scored on a six yard run in overtime to win it.
Southern also rolled on the road, beating Florida A&M 42 to 14 behind 204 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Trey Holly. Alcorn State piled up 585 yards in a 52 to 17 win over Mississippi Valley State.
By Sunday morning, three teams stood tied atop the SWAC West at 3 and 2 in league play. Prairie View A&M, Arkansas Pine Bluff and Alcorn State all share the lead, and November will sort them out.
7. The MEAC and CIAA Races Tightened Too
South Carolina State kept its grip on the MEAC with a 51 to 10 rout of Morgan State. Keely Watson threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs rolled up 509 yards of offense.
North Carolina Central matched that energy with a 34 to 0 shutout of Howard. Joshua Jones threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns, and Mehki Wall finished with 145 receiving yards.
South Carolina State and North Carolina Central both sit at 2 and 0 in the MEAC. They meet on November 14 in a game that could decide who reaches the Celebration Bowl.
In the CIAA, Johnson C. Smith beat Virginia State 39 to 33 in overtime. Fabian Duncan rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns, and Damien Mazil threw three scoring passes.
Virginia State quarterback Rahsaan Matthews Jr. threw for 476 yards and three touchdowns in defeat. Virginia Union also stayed perfect in league play with a 62 to 0 rout of Lincoln.
From Birmingham to Philadelphia to Houston, Week 9 reshaped every race that matters in Black college football. The road to Atlanta and the Celebration Bowl now runs through a crowded, hungry field. Follow the rest of the season in our sports section, and catch our latest NFL trade deadline coverage as well.
8. A Somber Note After the Classic
Saturday night ended with pain that no score can outweigh. Birmingham police reported a shooting near Legion Field at about 7:50 in the evening, after the game had ended.
Police said one person was killed and eight others were wounded. The shooting remained under investigation on Sunday morning.
Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and everyone who came to Birmingham to celebrate our schools and our culture. A day built on pride and fellowship should end with families getting home safe, and our community deserves that peace.
