What Makes a Classic a Classic
Let’s face it, we like Football Classics. Everybody does. If it wasn’t so, then there wouldn’t be this proliferation of Classic games every year. The latest event to enter the fray is the Ford MEAC-SWAC Challenge. As far as opponents go, the organizers couldn’t have asked for a better set of teams than the defending SWAC champions-Alabama State and the Co-Champions of the MEAC-South Carolina State. But there’s more to a Classic than just two highly touted teams, or is there?
HBCU Classics involve more than just the game and more than just the fans of the two schools. Organizers and sponsors take great care in extending the Saturday into a weekend of events directed at attracting families from the schools and the community surrounding the venue. Career fairs, band battles, seminars, parades, and even concerts adorn the majority of the Classics.
The Ford MEAC-SWAC Challenge lineup of events included a Kick-off Luncheon, a Battle of the Bands, a Career Expo, a Business and Sports Seminar, an official tailgate, and a Talent Show.
Hosted by ESPN’s Stuart Scott, the Kick-off Luncheon set the tone for the weekend’s events. Herman Boone (Remembering The Titans) delivered the keynote speech to the two teams, school administrators, sponsors, and community leaders from the City of Birmingham.
The revered coach laced his keynote address with enough pearls of wisdom to last a lifetime. “If you don’t have character you don’t have anything, I don’t care how talented you are” zinged the feisty coach to the players on both teams.
After the luncheon students and sponsors attended the Business and Sports Seminar to learn about the many opportunities in the world of sports. Students received honest (instead of corporate speak) responses from a panel of sports industry professionals including Stuart Scott-ESPN, Commissioner Robert Vowels-SWAC, John Kosner-ESPN, David Bercik-Ford, Kerry Chandler-ESPN Human Resources, Dr. Carl Carey-Sports Agent, and James Brown-ESPN. Roland D. West (Roland D. West & Associates) moderated the discussion that covered women’s issues, resumes and cover letters, tattoos, the importance of meaningful internships, how to get ahead once you’re hired, and what makes a good interview.
See all of the game action, band performances, and Classic events in the Photogallery below.
On Friday night music lovers filled the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center to watch the Marching Hornets of Alabama State and the Marching 101 of South Carolina State in a battle of bands. Although the show ran over its time limit, no one seemed to care too much.
Anyone who has been to a HBCU football game knows there has to be some tailgating before the game gets underway. In addition to their huge contribution as title sponsor of the Challenge, Ford provided a pre-game meal and social for fans supporting both schools to mix and mingle. When asked why Ford took such a prominent role in this inaugural game, executive David Bercik said simply “HBCUs are one of the great proving grounds for tomorrow’s leaders and Ford is committed to this support year after year”. Ford has definitely put its money where its mouth is sponsoring a number of Classics and initiatives affecting HBCUs.
Fitzgerald Washington, General Sales Manager for game sponsor Buffalo Rock, believes “when you have people coming in, they have a good time watching great football, and everybody understands what HBCU football is all about”. His views were echoed by Alabama State Alumnus Eddie Robinson. Robinson’s only caveat would have been a difference in the game’s outcome. His Hornets were defeated by South Carolina State 27-14. The outcome pleased the South Carolina State Pep Squad, who were more than willing to offer a student’s opinion of what makes a Classic. “The thing that makes a Classic a Classic is longevity” imparted one of the male squad members underneath an Elvis-like wig. “If it has an element that will make it last through the duration of time then you have a Classic” he continued.
GAME TIME
Two defending conference champions squared off in the inaugural Ford MEAC-SWAC Football Challenge. Mid-East Athletic Conference Co-Champion South Carolina State marched into Birmingham’s Legion Field Stadium and promptly dealt defending Southwest Athletic Conference Champion Alabama State a 27-14 defeat.
Twenty-four hours before the game got underway, South Carolina State head coach Oliver ‘Buddy’ Pough responded to legendary football coach Herman Boone’s keynote address. “Both teams can win, and the way we win is by both teams going out and hitting each other as hard as they can,” he advised. Coach Pough was half right. Both teams did hit each other hard, but only South Carolina State walked away with the win.
The Bulldogs set the tone for the game early on with a tough display of defense that limited the high-powered Hornet offense to three plays and a punt. With a little help from two costly Alabama State penalties, South Carolina State marched 70 yards in 6 plays. Quarterback Cleveland McCoy capped the drive diving over linebacker John Hogan into the endzone. Replacement kicker Stephen Grantham, in for injured senior kicker Michael Gaston, kicked the extra point.
South Carolina State ran the score up to 17-0 before Tavaris Jackson hit a streaking Alvance Robinson on a skinny post for a 30-yard touchdown.
After connecting on two previous kicking opportunities, Grantham made his first freshman mistake. When the Bulldogs’ last drive of the half stalled at the Alabama State 14-yard line, Grantham left a trio of points on the board, missing on a 32-yard field goal attempt. The miss nearly cost the Bulldogs a touchdown, but the referees ruled Lorenzo Hoffman did not have control of Jackson’s 56-yard ‘Hail Mary’ pass.
Mistakes continued to plague the Hornets in the second half. On their first series out of the break, Clinton Smith fumbled, turning the ball over to the Bulldogs Marshall McFadden. The miscue snuffed out any momentum Coach Coe hoped his team had built at the end of the half.
Jonathan Woods added another score for the Dogs with a 4-yard plunge over the right side. The Bulldogs, led by Deshawn Baker, rolled up 241 yards of rushing against the Hornets’ new-look defense.
Alabama State’s defense came up big early in the fourth quarter, stopping the Bulldogs inside the 10-yard line with three tough defensive plays. Coach Pough reluctantly settled for a not-so-automatic 21-yard Grantham field goal.
Except for the periodic musical selections from the Marching Hornets Band, little could be heard from the normally boisterous fans of the black and gold. For the entire third quarter, the explosive Hornets offense had been held in check by the hard-hitting Bulldogs. Seconds after Grantham nailed his second field goal of the game, Jackson unleashed his frustration in the form of a 79-yard touchdown bomb to 6’6” Lorenzo Hoffman. The pass was delivered with such touch and accuracy that Hoffman made the over-the-shoulder catch without breaking stride.
Eric Turner nearly put the final period on the chapter. The 260-pound tackle picked up a fumble forced by Terrance Bennett’s blind-side hit on Jackson and rumbled towards the end zone. A hustling Jackson brought the big guy down at the Hornets 29-yard line. SC State’s drive stalled after just three plays.
Both starting quarterbacks were selected for the Most Valuable Player Award at the end of the game. Over 18,000 fans watched the Bulldogs win the first Ford MEAC-SWAC Challenge.