Alabama A&M set to renew rivalry at Tennessee State

NORMAL — Though separated by only about 120 miles, it has been 15 years since the last time Alabama A&M University met Tennessee State on a football field.

However, that all comes to an end Saturday as the two historic programs will play in the inaugural Legacy Series. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. from Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Saturday’s game marks the 24^th installment of the series, with Tennessee State leading all-time, 15-8.

“This is another outstanding game on our schedule, and I know our fans are excited for the renewal of this rivalry,” Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade said. “We are looking to continue our success from last week and want to put together back-to-back victories. We played well offensively last week, and we want to continue to execute at a high level.”

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and fans can tune into WJAB (90.9 FM) with Thai Floyd (play-by-play), Maurice Brooks (analyst) and Evan Hayes (pregame and postgame) bringing all the action.

ABOUT THE GAME

• Saturday’s matchup marks the first of four games to be played in The Legacy Series
• Both teams enter the game at 1-1
• The two programs have not met since 2010
• Both programs have high-profile coaches roaming the sidelines
• The game marks the third of four straight home contests for Tennessee State to begin the season
• The Bulldogs are seeking their first road win, having dropped a pair dating back to the end of the 2024 season

COACHING CONNECTIONS

• Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade is no stranger to this matchup
• Sam Shade and special teams coordinator Amos Jones coached with Tennessee State defensive coordinator Gregg Williams while they were in Cleveland together with the Browns under head coach Hue Jackson
• Tennessee State associate head coach and linebackers coach Cedric Thornton spent last season wearing the Maroon & White
• Sam Shade and TSU head coach Reggie Barlow both played in the NFL
• Tennessee State head coach Reggie Barlow is a graduate of Alabama A&M rival Alabama State
• TSU safeties coach Dexter Jackson was the 2003 Super Bowl MVP

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M is coming off a 41-31 victory last Saturday in the 15^th annual Louis Crews Classic
• AAMU quarterback Cornelious Brown IV was firing on all cylinders in the win over Alcorn State last week, going 25-of-33 passing for 260 yards, while adding 69 yards on the ground
• Brown’s five total touchdowns helped him earn multiple players of the week accolades, including the STATS Perform HBCU National Player of the Week honor
• Alabama A&M has started fast in the past two games, including a 21-point first quarter against Alcorn State
• The Bulldogs moved up in the NCAA’s Digital HBCU Power Rankings after the win over the Braves, jumping from 15^th to 10^th
• After two games, AAMU has yet to attempt a field goal

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

• Tennessee State comes into the contest having dropped a 59-3 home decision last week to top-ranked North Dakota State
• The Tigers registered just four first downs in the loss and punter Mark Shenouda booted eight punts for an average of 42.4 yards.
• TSU quarterbacks have combined to complete passes to nine different receivers across the first two games
• Running back Kendric Rhymes is no stranger to SWAC opponents, having spent the past three years at Southern, where he rushed for 645 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024
• Former Bulldog defensive back Ravon Johnson will be facing his old team, having played last season in the Maroon & White, registering 15 total tackles

SERIES HISTORY 

• Alabama A&M and Tennessee State will be meeting for the 24^th time
•  This will be the first meeting in the series since 2010
• The biggest win for the Bulldogs came in 2007, a 49-23 victory in the John Merritt Classic
• The Bulldogs are 6-4 in the last 10 meetings against the Braves
• AAMU is 4-0 in games decided by seven points or less

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

• Alabama A&M needs to protect the line of scrimmage
• AAMU needs to win the turnover battle
• The Bulldogs must avoid committing a ton of penalties

LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT’S NEXT

• Back at home Sept. 20 when Lane College visits Louis Crews Stadium
• This will be the seventh meeting; the Bulldogs have yet to drop a game in the series
• AAMU is 5-0-1 in the all-time matchup, which dates back to the 1948 season
• Alabama A&M and Lane last met in 2023, with the Bulldogs rolling to a 51-13 victory at Louis Crews Stadium.