Commentary: Tuskegee setting a new tradition

TUSKEGEE, Alabama — Playing against Alabama State in the Turkey Day Classic is a big deal. Getting a chance to play for a national championship is a bigger deal.

Tuskegee senior quarterback Rashard Burkette has a full understanding of that.

“There is a lot more at stake,” said Burkette, a Montgomery native. “The Turkey Day game is for bragging rights. Alumni bragging rights, teammates bragging rights and we see each other a lot, but this game? There’s history at stake.”

I’m as big on traditional rivalry games as anyone else because it resonates beyond the players, but Tuskegee (8-2) can start establishing a new tradition of being a consistent national title contender in NCAA Division II by beating third-seeded North Alabama (8-2) in Saturday’s first-round game.

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