Alabama State, Tuskegee to renew football rivalry in 2017

By

• Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.com

Tuskegee-Alabama State.jpg

Tuskegee and Alabama State will face off each September from 2017-2020 at ASU Stadium in Montgomery. (Tuskegee athletics photo)

Alabama State and Tuskegee will begin a four-game football series in 2017, the schools have announced.

The Hornets and Tigers will meet Sept. 2, 2017; Sept. 1, 2018; Sept. 7, 2019; and Sept. 5, 2020. All games will be played at ASU Stadium in Montgomery. The teams last played in the 2012 Turkey Day Classic, which ended a near century-old rivalry between the state's two most-prominent historically black colleges.

"I am pleased to announce the renewal of our football rivalry with Tuskegee," Alabama State president Gwendolyn E. Boyd said. "This contest dates back to 1924 and has provided wonderful opportunities for fans on both sides to enjoy a longstanding tradition of spirited competition, as well as the reunions of families and friends. We look forward to welcoming the Tigers back to The ASU Stadium in 2017."

Alabama State and Tuskegee met in the Turkey Day Classic in all but a handful of years from 1924-2012, before the Tigers withdrew from the series in order to be eligible for the NCAA Division II playoffs. ASU has played Stillman in the annual Thanksgiving week game in each of the last two seasons and will face Miles this year.

"I am so very pleased to be a part of restoring this rivalry game between Tuskegee and Alabama State," Tuskegee  president Brian Johnson said. "More importantly, I am excited that our alumni and fans will once again be able to make an annual trek to Montgomery and support TU Football --- one of the winningest Division II football programs in history."

Tuskegee leads the all-time series with Alabama State 61-34-4.