Montgomery just made a bold power play—and it’s shaking up one of HBCU football’s most storied rivalries.
The 86th annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic, a marquee event on the HBCU sports calendar, is moving to Alabama’s capital this October. The game is the oldest football rivalry between Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Tuskegee leads the all-time series 74-30-7.
The game will be held at the 21,000-seat Cramton Bowl, marking yet another chapter in the rivalry’s winding history of relocation. While the news may surprise fans who were expecting its return to Columbus, the move could inject new life—and meaning—into the Classic.
Montgomery isn’t just a venue swap. It’s a city rich with civil rights legacy, making it a meaningful backdrop for an HBCU rivalry rooted in tradition and cultural pride. “Our city, a cornerstone of the civil rights movement, is the perfect backdrop for this cherished tradition,” said Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, a Morehouse alum. This relocation is more than logistical—it’s symbolic.
Morehouse, this year’s home team, had the final call on the venue. Athletics Director Harold Ellis made it clear the move was driven by “financial reasons,” noting the support and partnership Montgomery offered. Without a formal contract keeping the game in Columbus, flexibility played a role. “I have no doubt they will show up and show out for this Classic,” Ellis added, anticipating strong fan turnout in Montgomery.
For fans in Columbus, this is a tough pill to swallow. The city hosted the Classic for decades, becoming part of its identity. Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic Committee Chair Lisa Goodwin acknowledged the disappointment, calling the move “bittersweet.” Still, she emphasized the need for consistency to help the Classic grow long-term.
This move may be temporary—or it could signal a new era. Either way, fans should circle their calendars. Montgomery isn’t just hosting a football game—it’s hosting a cultural celebration. HBCU pride travels well, and this fall, the Classic rolls into a city ready to embrace its legacy.
Stay tuned. This rivalry is far from finished.
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The Philadelphia Eagles got a major injury scare during Sunday's open practice at Lincoln Financial Field when Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson went down with a leg injury and had to be carted off to the locker room. Dickerson was reportedly unable to put any weight on his leg. Dickerson, a second-round pick (No. 37 overall) by the team in 2021 has been a starter for the Eagles over the first four years of his career and developed into one of the best offensive linemen in football. He has been named to the Pro Bowl team in each of the past three seasons and is a key cog on the Eagles' line. The Eagles' O-line is one of the team's biggest strengths and a big part of its identity, and Dickerson has taken over as one of the top leaders on that group. The Eagles are already dealing with some depth issues on the interior of their line after backup Kenyon Green had to be carted off the field in their opening preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. If Dickerson has to miss any significant time that would be a huge blow to the Eagles' offense and their running game. But it's still very early in the process and the Eagles will almost certainly know more by Monday. The Eagles were the second-leading rushing team in the NFL during the 2024 season, averaging 179 yards per game. Running back Saquon Barkley ran for over 2,000 yards as part of their season, with the offensive line playing a huge role in both of those achievements.
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