The Alabama State University Athletic Department has announced the 2011 football schedule for the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division Champions. The Hornets will play five home games this season in Montgomery's Cramton Bowl. In addition to the traditional matchups, highlighted by the Magic City Classic in Birmingham and the Turkey Day Classic on Thanksgiving Day, the Hornets will travel to face Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference.
“This game will accomplish several things for the program and the University,” Athletic Director Stacy Danley said. “It provides exposure and visibility for Alabama State in a unique geographical area that contains a high concentration of ASU alumni. It additionally gives us the opportunity to recruit a broader range of students and student athletes. As we continue to take ASU Athletics to new heights, it's not only important for us to play up but to win up. This contest also provides us with the opportunity to generate revenue.”
Former Hornet receiver Reggie Barlow begins his fifth season as head coach at his alma mater, leading his team into another tough nine-game conference slate of games as Alabama State comes off a SWAC Championship game appearance for the first time since winning the title in 2004.
“I think it's a good schedule,” Barlow said. “As a whole, it gives us exactly what we need when we go out and recruit players of what they will get an opportunity to go out and experience here. You get to play in front of large crowds like we do in the Magic City Classic and Turkey Day Classic, as well as the chance to play a Division I opponent in Eastern Michigan. The SWAC schedule is very competitive as it always is. We're excited about it.”
Alabama State will begin the season with back-to-back road games and three of its first four contests away from home in September. The Hornets will begin the season at SWAC foe Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 3 before venturing to Michigan to face the Eagles one week later in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
The Hornets will play their home opener Sept. 17 when Grambling State and new head coach Doug Williams come to the Cramton Bowl. ASU will end the season's opening month at Jackson State on Sept. 24.
Alabama State will face former offensive coordinator and new Alcorn State head coach Melvin Spears on Oct. 1 as the Braves come to Montgomery. The Hornets will then travel to Houston for a SWAC Championship Game rematch with defending champion Texas Southern, before coming home to host Prairie View on Oct. 15.
Following an open week, the Hornets will face Alabama A&M University in the 70th Magic City Classic, held at legendary Legion Field in Birmingham on Oct. 29.
ASU will play its final road game in 2011 on Nov. 5, when they travel to face the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The Hornets will play their final SWAC game of the season at home against Southern in Cramton Bowl on Nov. 12. Following an open date, ASU will conclude the regular season with the 88th Turkey Day Classic against Tuskegee University on Nov. 26th.
2011 ALABAMA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Sept. 3 at Mississippi Valley St.* Itta Bena, Miss. 5 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Eastern Michigan Ypsilanti, Mich. TBD
Sept. 17 GRAMBLING ST.* Montgomery, Ala. 7 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Jackson St.* Jackson, Miss. 4 p.m.
Oct. 1 ALCORN ST.* Montgomery, Ala. 7 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Texas Southern* Houston, Texas TBD
Oct. 15 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M* Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m. (Hornet Connection Day)
Oct. 22 open date
Oct. 29 ALABAMA A&M* Birmingham, Ala. TBD (70th Magic City Classic)
Nov. 5 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff* Pine Bluff, Ark. 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 12 SOUTHERN* Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m.
Nov. 19 open date
Nov. 24 TUSKEGEE Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m.(88th Turkey Day Classic)
Dec. 10 SWAC Championship Birmingham, Ala. TBD
Home games in CAPS; * denotes SWAC games; dates and times subject to change
By ASU Sports Information
VISIT: BAMASTATESPORTS
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