Atlanta Football Classic

Last updated
Atlanta Football Classic
Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic
Stadium Georgia Dome
Location Atlanta
Previous stadiums Bobby Dodd Stadium
Operated1989–2014
Conference tie-ins MEAC
Sponsors
2014 matchup
North Carolina A&T vs. South Carolina State (0-13)
2015 matchup
(Discontinued)

The Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic was an annual football classic game between two historically black colleges and universities. The game has since been replaced by the Celebration Bowl HBCU championship game.

Contents

History

The game was played annually in Atlanta. The first three years, it was held at Bobby Dodd Stadium, and at the Georgia Dome from 1992 to 2014.

Coverage

Versus/NBCSN broadcast the game from 2008 to 2012. Because the two participants in the 2013 and 2014 contests are both part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, to which ESPN held broadcast rights, ESPN broadcast the game on its online outlet, ESPN3.

Game results

WinnerScoreLoserDateLocationAttendanceSource
Florida A&M 21–9 Tennessee State September 23, 1989 Bobby Dodd Stadium 47,373 [1]
Tennessee State 20–16 Florida A&M September 22, 1990Bobby Dodd Stadium46,024 [2]
South Carolina State 30–23 Southern September 28, 1991Bobby Dodd Stadium26,560 [3]
Southern 19–18 South Carolina State September 19, 1992 Georgia Dome 55,296 [4]
Southern 14–10 South Carolina State September 25, 1993Georgia Dome58,199 [5]
Tennessee State 32–28 South Carolina State September 24, 1994Georgia Dome58,131 [6]
Tennessee State 15–14 South Carolina State September 30, 1995Georgia Dome52,387 [7]
Southern 19–18 Tennessee State September 28, 1996Georgia Dome45,894 [8]
South Carolina State 34–28 Tennessee State September 27, 1997Georgia Dome41,292 [9]
Florida A&M 31–23 Tennessee State September 26, 1998Georgia Dome28,987 [10]
Tennessee State 42–25 Florida A&M September 18, 1999Georgia Dome44,812` [11]
Florida A&M 31–6 Tennessee State September 23, 2000Georgia Dome62,455 [12]
Tennessee State 27–7 Florida A&M September 22, 2001Georgia Dome61,052 [13]
Florida A&M 37–24 Tennessee State September 28, 2002Georgia Dome67,167 [14]
Florida A&M 10–7 Tennessee State September 20, 2003Georgia Dome70,185 [15]
Florida A&M 21–15 Tennessee State September 25, 2004Georgia Dome67,712 [16]
Florida A&M 12–7 Tennessee State September 24, 2005Georgia Dome56,297 [17]
Florida A&M 25–22 Tennessee State September 30, 2006Georgia Dome57,885 [18]
Florida A&M 18–17 Tennessee State September 29, 2007Georgia Dome56,990 [19]
Florida A&M 28–14 Tennessee State September 27, 2008Georgia Dome50,428 [20]
Florida A&M 31–12 Tennessee State September 26, 2009Georgia Dome51,950 [21]
Tennessee State 29–18 Florida A&M September 25, 2010Georgia Dome54,202 [22]
Florida A&M 38–33 Southern September 24, 2011Georgia Dome59,373 [23]
Southern 21–14 Florida A&M September 29, 2012Georgia Dome41,042 [24]
South Carolina State 29–24 North Carolina A&T October 5, 2013Georgia Dome35,412 [25]
South Carolina State 13–0 North Carolina A&T October 4, 2014Georgia Dome24,441 [26]

Records

TeamWinsLosses [27]
Florida A&M116
Tennessee State712
South Carolina State44
Southern33

See also

Related Research Articles

The 1978 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game was a postseason college football game between the Florida A&M Rattlers and the UMass Minutemen. The game was played on December 16, 1978, at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas. The culminating game of the 1978 NCAA Division I-AA football season, it was won by Florida A&M, 35–28.

The 1978 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida A&M University in the 1978 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Rattlers had an overall record of 12–1 and were the Division I-AA national champions.

The 1962 Florida A&M Rattlers football team was an American football team that represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in the 1962 NCAA College Division football season. In their 18th season under head coach Jake Gaither, the Rattlers compiled a 9–1 record, were ranked No. 1 in the final AP small college poll and No. 2 in the final UPI coaches poll, and suffered its sole loss to Jackson State in the Orange Blossom Classic. Florida A&M shared the SIAC title with Alabama A&M.

The 1960 Florida A&M Rattlers football team was an American football team that represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) during the 1960 college football season. In their 16th season under head coach Jake Gaither, the Rattlers compiled a 9–1 record, including a victory over Langston in the Orange Blossom Classic. The team was ranked No. 5 in the final 1960 UPI small college poll. The team played its home games at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.

The 1954 Florida A&M Rattlers football team was an American football team that represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) during the 1954 college football season. In their 10th season under head coach Jake Gaither, the Rattlers compiled an 8–1 record, including a victory over Maryland State in the Orange Blossom Classic. The team played its home games at Bragg Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.

The 1966 Tennessee A&I Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State College as a member of the Midwest Athletic Association (MAA) during the 1966 NCAA College Division football season. In their fourth season under head coach John Merritt, the Tigers compiled a perfect 10–0 record, won the MAA championship, shut out five of ten opponents, defeated Muskingum in the 1966 Grantland Rice Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 410 to 51. The Tigers compiled a 24-game unbeaten streak that encompassed the 1965 and 1966 seasons.

The 1981 South Carolina State Bulldogs football team represented South Carolina State University) as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by third-year head coach Bill Davis, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 10–3 and a mark of 5–0 in conference play, and finished as MEAC champions.

The 1978 Jackson State Tigers football team represented Jackson State University as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) during the 1978 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by third-year head coach W. C. Gorden, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 10–2 with a mark of 5–1 in conference play, placing second in the SWAC. Jackson State advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, where the lost in the semifinals to the eventual national champion, Florida A&M.

The 1995 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 1995 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Rattlers were led by second-year head coach Billy Joe and played their home games at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. They finished the season with an overall record of 9–3 and a mark of 6–0 in conference play, winning the MEAC title. Florida A&M was invited to the Heritage Bowl, where they lost to Southern.

The 1977 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) during the 1977 NCAA Division II football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Rudy Hubbard, the Rattlers compiled an overall record of 11–0 and a mark of 5–0 in conference play, and finished as SIAC champion. At the conclusion of the season, the Rattlers were also recognized as black college national champion.

The 1984 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as an independent during the 1984 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by first-year head coach William A. Thomas, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 11–0. At the conclusion of the season, the Tigers were also recognized as black college national champion.

The 1998 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 1998 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Billy Joe, the Rattlers compiled an overall record of 11–2, with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, and finished as MEAC co-champion. Florida A&M finished their season with a loss against Western Illinois in the Division I-AA playoffs. At the conclusion of the season, the Rattlers were also recognized as black college national champion.

The 2001 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 2001 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Billy Joe, the Rattlers compiled an overall record of 7–4, with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, and finished as MEAC champion. Florida A&M finished their season with a loss against Georgia Southern in the Division I-AA playoffs. At the conclusion of the season, the Rattlers were also recognized as black college national champion.

The 1992 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1992 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Joe Gilliam Sr., the Tigers compiled an overall record of 5–6, with a conference record of 5–3, and finished fourth in the OVC.

The 1994 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1994 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by second-year head coach Bill Davis, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 5–6, with a conference record of 4–4, and finished tied for fourth in the OVC.

The 1995 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1995 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by third-year head coach Bill Davis, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 2–9, with a conference record of 1–7, and finished tied for seventh in the OVC.

The 1997 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by second-year head coach L. C. Cole, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 4–7, with a conference record of 4–3, and finished tied for fourth in the OVC.

The 1988 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 1988 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by third-year head coach Ken Riley, the Rattlers compiled an overall record of 6–4–1, with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, and finished as MEAC co-champion.

The 1990 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 1990 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Ken Riley, the Rattlers compiled an overall record of 7–4, with a mark of 6–0 in conference play, and finished as MEAC champion.

The 1996 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by third-year head coach Billy Joe, the Rattlers compiled an overall record of 9–3, with a mark of 7–0 in conference play, and finished as MEAC champion. Florida A&M completed their season with a loss against Troy State in the NCAA Division I-AA First Round.

References

  1. "Gilliam steaming; TSU tripped 21–9". The Tennessean. September 24, 1989. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Tennessee State passes FAMU in third quarter". St. Petersburg Times. September 23, 1990. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "S.C. State rallies past Southern". Anderson Independent-Mail. September 29, 1991. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "S.C. State gets the boot, 19–18". The State. September 20, 1992. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Southern takes advantage of S.C. State miscues 14–10". The Atlanta Constitution. September 26, 1993. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Close loss tough on S.C. State". The Atlanta Constitution. September 25, 1994. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "S.C. State stunned by late-game heroics". The Greenville News. October 1, 1995. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "TSU gets boot 19–18". The Tennessean. September 29, 1996. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "S.C. State's Derricott steals the show". The Atlanta Constitution. September 28, 1997. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Bonner passes Rattlers to win". The Palm Beach Post. September 27, 1998. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Tenn. State tops FAMU in Classic". The Atlanta Constitution. September 19, 1999. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Nunnally, Rattlers roll to win". The Tampa Tribune-Times. September 24, 2000. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  13. "TSU's quick start sends Florida A&M reeling". The Tennessean. September 23, 2001. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  14. "FAMU scores early, often to KO Tenn. St". South Florida Sun Sentinel. September 29, 2002. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Freshman QB leads FAMU, 10–7". The Atlanta Constitution. September 21, 2003. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  16. "FAMU rallies for win". The Miami Herald. September 26, 2004. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Fight to the finish; FAMU's goal-line stand in final seconds secures win over Tennessee State". Tallahassee Democrat. September 25, 2005. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Taylor's toe gives Rattlers fifth in row". The Atlanta Constitution. October 1, 2006. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Last-second field goal sails wide left for TSU". The Tennessean. September 30, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  20. "Pulley powers FAMU victory". The Miami Herald. September 28, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  21. "FAMU defeats Tenn. St". Pensacola News Journal. September 27, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  22. "TSU's Brown sets Classic rush record". The Tennessean. September 26, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  23. "FAMU defense clutch in victory". Tallahassee Democrat. September 25, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  24. "Southern 21, Florida A&M 14". The Miami Herald. September 30, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  25. "S.C. State records Atlanta Classic victory". The Times and Democrat. October 6, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  26. "SC State shuts down North Carolina A&T". The Greenville News. October 5, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Atlanta Football Classic - Past Game Scores". Archived from the original on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2013-09-14.