Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Florida A&M vs. Southern Sept. 1 on ESPN Classic for MEAC/SWAC Challenge


First of at Least Nine Live Games on the Network

The Third Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Florida A&M vs. Southern from Birmingham’s (Ala.) historic Legion Field, will be televised live on ESPN Classic Saturday, Sept. 1 at 3 p.m., ET. Eric Collins will provide the play-by-play with analyst Jay Walker and sideline reporter Monica Knowles.

ESPN Classic will televise at least nine live games in 2007, including: Rhode Island at Army (Sept. 8, 1 p.m.); Louisville at Kentucky (Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.); Grambling at Jackson State (Oct.20 at noon); Tulsa at Army (Nov. 17 at noon); MEAC Disney Florida Classic - Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 17, 3:15 p.m.); and the SWAC Championship Game (Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.). The network will also air two Big Ten regular-season games (dates TBD).

Each year, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge game pits a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) team against a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) member at a neutral site located within the footprint of one of the conferences. This is the first meeting between Florida A&M and Southern since 2001. The teams first competed in 1941, with Florida A&M leading the all-time series 33-24-1.

Seven-time MEAC Champion Florida A&M University finished the 2006 season with a 7-4 overall record and 5-3 in the MEAC. With expectations to regain supremacy in the MEAC, the 2007 Rattlers return a solid offensive and defensive front headed by third-year head coach Rubin Carter.

Southern University completed the 2006 season with a 5-6 record, 4-5 in conference play. Under the helm of 14-year head coach Pete Richardson, the Jaguars have won five conference titles. This season, Southern is hopeful to regain its dominance in the SWAC behind the accomplished leadership of Richardson.

No comments: