ASU Hornets, TU Tigers prep for Turkey Day Classic

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  Rivals Tuskegee and Alabama State are putting the final touches on their game plans in preparation for their Thanksgiving meeting in the 89th Turkey Day Classic.

“I do know they have a very, very talented roster, said Alabama State’s defensive coordinator Cedric Thornton during a conference call last week.











TUSKEGEE U. (9-1, 2012 SIAC CHAMPS) vs. ALABAMA STATE (7-3, 7-2 SWAC)
TV: ESPNU
TIME: 4:00 PM ET

Thornton was filling in for Hornets head coach Reggie Barlow.

“A lot of people look at Tuskegee University and say ‘they’re a Division II school; you’re a Division I school.’ They’re a Division II school, but not in talent. On their roster they have a linebacker that’s a University of Florida transfer. They have a running back that’s a University of Missouri transfer, and an offensive lineman that’s an Arkansas State transfer.”

The Golden Tigers roster features freshman Quavon Taylor, a 6-foot linebacker who transferred in from the University of South Florida. Derrick Washington, a 6-foot running back who transferred in from Mizzou and Chris Tolbert, a 6-foot-5 lineman who transferred in from Arkanasas State.

“I do know that they have very good personnel,” said Willie Slater, coach of the Golden Tigers. “The two quarterbacks that they play, as with their defensive linemen, are pretty good. Plus the level of competition they’ve been playing in Division I is a bit higher than what we are used to in the SIAC.”

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