ASU Jenkins Discusses Tuskegee Announcement

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --  Alabama State University head football coach Brian Jenkins held his weekly press conference today (Wednesday) and most of the questions from the local media were in connection with the announcement earlier in the day of the ASU-Tuskegee football game beginning play again in 2017.

"It's really exciting," Jenkins said.  "It's something me and Athletic Director (Melvin) Hines have been discussing for a long time and I know he has been working on it behind the scenes very hard and has been very diligent in getting it done.  I was very excited to see that we got the deal done and look forward to renewing this great rivalry."

The Hornets and Tigers will face each other on Sept. 2, 2017, in the season opener for both teams. The teams last played in the opening of ASU Stadium before a sellout crowd on Nov. 22, 2012, in the 89^th Turkey Day Classic.

"I am pleased to announce the renewal of our football rivalry with Tuskegee," Alabama State University President Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd said. "This contest dates back to 1924 and has provided wonderful opportunities for fans on both sides to enjoy a longstanding tradition of spirited competition, as well as the reunions of families and friends. We look forward to welcoming the Tigers back to The ASU Stadium in 2017."

The two teams will also play on Sept. 1, 2018, Sept. 7, 2019, and Sept. 5, 2020, with all games played at The ASU Stadium.

Jenkins is not the only one that is very excited about the rivalry kicking off again, as he has had many of the Hornet faithful approach him to let him know about their excitement even though he knows he can't think about those future games just yet.

"I've had to stay away from that a little bit," Jenkins said.  "I don't want to lose focus on a very important opponent we have coming up in Tennessee State.  They are a team that needs all of our focus."

"I have talked to them (fans) briefly about it, because the rivalry is a great rivalry and it has had some great moments in the past and we can have some great moments in the future."

Even with most of the talk on today's Tuskegee announcement, the Hornets are only 11 days away from their season-opener against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic in Nashville.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION