Morehouse Tuskegee Classic

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The Morehouse Tuskegee Classic, formerly the Tuskegee Morehouse Classic, is an annual football game between the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University and the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College of Atlanta, Georgia which was played at Legion Field in Birmingham in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The event is called the "Grand Daddy" of "Classic" rivalries between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBUs), with the teams having first met in 1902. Until 2021 the Classic was held annually in Columbus, Georgia, roughly mid-way between the two campuses and in the vicinity of Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning). Since 1936 Columbus' A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium served as the host venue.

In 2021 the City of Birmingham signed a 3-year contract with both schools to bring the event to Legion Field. The deal included $500,000 per year in direct incentives, plus in-kind services. Along with the move, the name was switched from "Tuskegee Morehouse" to "Morehouse Tuskegee".

After the 2023 matchup, the series record for the Morehouse Tuskegee Classic was 75-30-7 in favor of Tuskegee. The schools chose not to renew their contract with Birmingham, returning the game to Columbus in 2024.

Games

2023

The 87th Classic was held on October 7.

The weekend began with a Friday night block party on Short 20th Street outside Birmingham City Hall and a free concert at Iron City featuring rappers Yella Beezy and Trina. The game kicked off at Legion Field at 7:00 PM.

Tuskegee defeated Morehouse 40-28 before an announced crowd of 3,098. The teams were tied at two field goals each going into halftime, but the Golden Tigers ripped off 27 points in the 3rd quarter and outlasted a late challenged from the Maroon Tigers in the 4th. Tuskegee running back George Morris racked up 188 net yards on the ground with two scores. Quarterback Chris Roberson carried 8 times for 71 yards and two touchdowns, and threw a 71-yard strike to Corey Petty on one of his three successful pass attempts. Morehouse quarterback Miles Scott threw four interceptions on 11-26 passing. Charles Daniels V led the Maroon Tigers on the ground with 131 yards in 24 attempts with one touchdown.

2022

The 86th Classic was held on October 8 before a crowd of 2,389. Tuskegee defeated Morehouse 31-14. Golden Tigers quarterback Bryson Williams led a 7-play, 60-yard scoring drive to start the game. Morehouse QB Derrach West answered with two scores early in the 2nd quarter. Tuskegee closed with 17 points in the 3rd quarter, capped by a 41-yard field goal by Arnes Huskic. Williams led another touchdown drive that ate up 5 minutes of the 4th quarter to extend the Golden Tigers' lead.

Jeezy and Lil Bam headlined a free concert for fans on Friday evening.

2021

The 85th Classic was held on October 9. Morehouse defeated Tuskegee 31-15. The Golden Tigers defense drew first blood with a safety on Morehouse's 1st drive. At halftime Morehouse held a slim 10-9 lead. The Maroon Tigers pulled further ahead in the third with a Earnest Davis' three-yard rushing touchdown. Tuskegee's Louis Williams completed a 53-yard strike to Jamaal Pritchett early in the 4th, but failed to convert a 2-point attempt. The Maroon Tigers closed the door with two more touchdowns.

The weekend kicked off with a banquet for players keynoted by columnist Roy S. Johnson followed by a public "soirée" at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

References

External links

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