Tigers Converge On Columbus For The Classic

Columbus, GA - Tuskegee and Morehouse first played against each other in 1902, the Golden Tigers won 5-0. It did not become “The Classic” until 1936, and has been played in Columbus every year expect 1974. Tuskegee holds an overall lead of 49-19-5 during that time, but 2009 is different as Morehouse comes in with a better record at 4-1.

The Golden Tigers are 4-2, and head coach Jimmie Slater says they’ve got a young squad. Richard Freeman’s Maroon Tigers finished second in the SIAC a year ago, but where last in the league in rushing. He says they focused on getting some better offensive line play so they get better production from the running game which has helped to their start.

Both coaches want to keep the action between the lines on Saturday, as both schools want to set national examples of how to act of the field. Expect close to 15,000-20,000 for this 74th edition at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

“This is a big one,“ Freeman said. “You kinda feel the tension between the two schools because of the close enviroment in the stadium. It’s always packed, and it’s a big rivalry.“

“It’s great to know that people would want us to play at a quote classic,“ Slater said. “We played in Saint Louis two weeks ago, Indianapolis last week and in Columbus this week. So we are getting classics back to back to back.“

“It’s really amazing, the crowd is crazy,“ Morehouse QB William Brack said. “Lot of Tuskegee people here, it’s like 80-20 Tuskegee. But at the same time there will be a lot of competition, we’ve got to play our best to get out of here with a victory.“

Tuskegee won last year 42-27.