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[[File:Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic logo.png|right|250px]]
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 ==
* McCloud, Curtis (October 7, 2011) "[https://www.wtvm.com/story/15644765/2011/10/Friday/history-of-the-tuskegee-morehouse-classic/ How it all began: History of the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic." WTVM.com
* Beahm, Anna (February 14, 2020) "[ Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic may be coming to Birmingham]." {{BN}}
* Prickett, Sam (May 4, 2021) "[https://wbhm.org/2021/birmingham-city-council-approves-incentives-for-hbcu-classic-at-legion-field/ Birmingham City Council Approves Incentives For HBCU Classic At Legion Field]." {{BWatch}}
* Short, Cody (October 8, 2021) "[https://birminghamwatch.org/birmingham-hosts-the-morehouse-tuskegee-classic-for-the-first-time/ Birmingham Hosts the Morehouse Tuskegee Classic for the First Time]." {{BWatch}}
* Flanagan, Ben (October 8, 2021) "[https://www.al.com/sports/2021/10/morehouse-tuskegee-classic-fan-guide-for-the-grand-daddy-of-hbcu-classics.html Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic: Fan guide for the ‘Grand-Daddy’ of HBCU classics]." {{BN}}
* Becton, Stan (October 6, 2022) "[https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2022-10-06/dii-football-what-know-about-morehouse-tuskegee-classic Everything to know about DII football's Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic]." NCAA.com
* Short, Cody D. (October 8, 2023) "[https://www.al.com/news/2023/10/will-the-morehouse-tuskegee-classic-remain-in-birmingham.html Will the Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic remain in Birmingham?]" {{AL}}
* Harksen, Lauren (October 9, 2023) "[https://www.wbrc.com/2023/10/10/morehouse-tuskegee-classic-turnout-lower-than-some-fans-expected/ Morehouse Tuskegee Classic turnout lower than some fans expected]." WBRC.com
* Short, Cody D. (February 6, 2024) "Morehouse Tuskegee Classic will not return to Birmingham." {{AL}}

==External links==
* [https://morehousetuskegeeclassic.com/ Morehouse Tuskegee Classic] website

[[Category:October events]]
[[Category:Legion Field events]]
[[Category:Football games]]
[[Category:1902 establishments]]