Friday, October 5, 2007

Circle City Classic: Dome showcase has launched stars


Photo: FAMU Rattlers expects a tight game with WSSU Rams in the 2007 Circle City Classic.

Colts' Mathis vividly recalls game

By Jeff Rabjohns, Indy Star

The key moment in turning the Circle City Classic into a reality came in the early 1980s, when legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson agreed to bring his team here.
Robinson, on his way to breaking Bear Bryant's coaching victories record, had star power and gave the game instant credibility.
Robinson, who finished with 408 wins, had one stipulation: Grambling got to pick its opponent for the inaugural Classic in 1984.

"They picked Mississippi Valley State," recalled Classic executive George Pillow. "I guess they thought they'd come up here, beat them, collect their payday and go home. But Mississippi Valley beat them.

"Mississippi Valley? I'd never heard of the school."

Robinson's decision brought one of the greatest football players in history to Indianapolis before he was famous. Mississippi Valley stunned Grambling 48-36 behind 174 yards receiving and two touchdowns from Jerry Rice.

The Classic will be played at the RCA Dome for the final time Saturday, closing a run of 24 consecutive falls of hosting a contest between two historically black colleges. The game moves to Lucas Oil Stadium next season, and might showcase future NFL stars there as well.

Its run at the Dome certainly did.

Jerry Rice, Steve McNair, Hugh Douglas, Erik Williams and Robert Mathis, who helped the Colts win the Super Bowl in February, are just some of the players the Classic brought to the Dome.

"It lets you know there's a rich heritage, nothing to take for granted," Mathis said this week. "It lets you know there are a lot of guys who paved the way for us."

Rice, who holds every major NFL receiving record, put on a show in the inaugural game. Grambling was within 41-36 when he caught a 63-yard touchdown pass for the final score.

In the 1991 Classic, a freshman quarterback named Steve McNair threw for 433 yards and three touchdowns in his fifth college game. He completed 23-of-36 passes as Alcorn State beat Howard 46-27.

McNair, now with Baltimore, played for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1995-2005.

Williams, from Central State in Wilberforce, Ohio, played tackle for 11 years in the NFL, starting for the Cowboys during their dominant run in the 1990s. He went to four Pro Bowls while blocking for Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman.

Douglas, also from Central State, was the 1995 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He helped shut down Alabama State 34-13 in 1992.

"You go down through the list, and it's not so much what we think, it's what has been proven," said James Bell, who coached Jackson State and is now at Taylor University. "Those guys have gone on to the pros. That tells you something about the players in the Classic. It's factual evidence.

"It's a good opportunity for guys to showcase their talents."

Mathis certainly did that. He had four sacks and caused a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in Alabama A&M's 27-11 victory over Southern in 2002. Mathis' big day came on the home field of the Colts, and in the fifth round of the 2003 draft, they picked him.

"It was very exciting to get that chance to participate in a game outside of your region, to play in front of a different crowd," Mathis said. "It was a very big deal. When we first saw in the schedule, we were counting down the days."

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