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The Magic City Classic is more than just a football game.

Every year, Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University bring their school pride, passionate fans and rich HBCU traditions to Birmingham for one of the biggest rivalries in the country.

The 85th Magic City Classic week has arrived. Here’s what you need to know before kickoff:

Who: Alabama State (4-3) vs. Alabama A&M (6-2)
When: 2:30PM | Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Legion Field | Birmingham, AL
Watch: ESPN+
More info

From nail-biting finishes to record-setting performances, the Classic has given fans plenty of reasons to celebrate over the decades. So before things kick off this week, let’s look back at 10 memorable moments and milestones that helped shape this historic rivalry.

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1. The rivalry’s Birmingham beginnings in 1940

The Magic City Classic’s Birmingham tradition dates back to 1940, when Alabama State defeated Alabama A&M 24-6. That matchup helped establish the annual football tradition that would bring generations of students, alumni and fans together.

2. A rare tie in 1949

Not every Classic ends with a winner. In 1949, Alabama A&M and Alabama State played to a 13-13 tie. It is one of three ties in the history of the rivalry with the most recent happening in 1982.

3. Alabama A&M’s impressive winning streak from 1960 to 1966

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Alabama A&M put together a remarkable run against its rival, winning seven consecutive meetings with an average margin of victory of 25 points from 1960 through 1966. The streak included a pair of shutouts. It is still A&M longest winning streak in the rivalry’s history.

4. Alabama State’s 59-point performance in 1991

Alabama State delivered one of the most lopsided results in the rivalry in 1991, defeating Alabama A&M 59-13. That is the most points in a game for either team team during a Magic City Classic. And the 46-point margin is the third biggest blowout in the rivalry’s history.

5. Alabama A&M’s five-game streak in the early 2000s

The Bulldogs enjoyed another impressive run when they won five straight Classics from 2005 through 2009. But it was different from the 1960s streak as four of the five games were decided by one possession, including a 17-16 victory in 2008.

6. A one-point finish in 2016

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The 2016 Classic delivered a dramatic finish as Alabama A&M defeated Alabama State 42-41 in overtime. The teams combined for nearly 1,000 yards of offense, but in the end, the result came down to the kicking game. The Hornets scored first in overtime, but a missed extra point left the door open. Alabama A&M answered with a touchdown of its own, and Nick Carden’s extra point secured the Bulldogs’ victory.

7. The triple-overtime thriller of 2019

Few recent Classics have delivered the drama of the 2019 matchup. Alabama A&M rallied to defeat Alabama State 43-41 in triple overtime in a game played through heavy rain.

Running back Jordan Bentley scored four touchdowns, rushing for 197 yards and catching another touchdown pass. His performance helped the Bulldogs escape with one of the most memorable wins in the rivalry’s modern history.

8. A spring edition of the Classic in 2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic changed the college football calendar, pushing the spring 2021 Classic into April instead of its traditional fall setting.

Alabama A&M defeated Alabama State 38-14 on April 17. The game was also the first Classic played at night, making it an unusual chapter in the event’s history.

9. Alabama State’s late touchdown in 2022

Alabama State gave its fans a memorable finish in the 2022 Classic, defeating Alabama A&M 24-17.

After the Bulldogs tied the game at 17, Hornets quarterback Dematrius Davis connected with Jeremiah Hixon for a 23-yard touchdown with about two minutes remaining. The late score helped Alabama State secure the victory and end Alabama A&M’s four-game winning streak in the rivalry.

10. Alabama State’s dominant win in 2025

The 2025 Classic ended with a commanding performance from Alabama State, which defeated Alabama A&M 56-13. The 43-point margin made it one of the most lopsided results in the event’s recent history.

The victory added another memorable chapter to the rivalry and gave Alabama State momentum heading into the next meeting. The Hornets are now riding a four-game winning streak against A&M, their longest since 1995.