MEAC/SWAC Challenge: Florida A&M vs. Southern Sept. 1 on ESPN Classic

First of at Least Nine Live Games on the Network

The Third Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Florida A&M vs. Southern from Birmingham’s (Ala.) historic Legion Field, will be televised live on ESPN Classic Saturday, Sept. 1 at 3 p.m., ET.  Eric Collins will provide the play-by-play with analyst Jay Walker and sideline reporter Monica Knowles.

ESPN Classic will televise at least nine live games in 2007, including: Rhode Island at Army (Sept. 8, 1 p.m.); Louisville at Kentucky (Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.); Grambling at Jackson State (Oct.20 at noon); Tulsa at Army (Nov. 17 at noon); MEAC Disney Florida Classic - Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 17, 3:15 p.m.); and the SWAC Championship Game (Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.).  The network will also air two Big Ten regular-season games (dates TBD).

Each year, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge game pits a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) team against a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) member at a neutral site located within the footprint of one of the conferences.  This is the first meeting between Florida A&M and Southern since 2001.  The teams first competed in 1941, with Florida A&M leading the all-time series 33-24-1.

Seven-time MEAC Champion Florida A&M University finished the 2006 season with a 7-4 overall record and 5-3 in the MEAC.  With expectations to regain supremacy in the MEAC, the 2007 Rattlers return a solid offensive and defensive front headed by third-year head coach Rubin Carter.

Southern University completed the 2006 season with a 5-6 record, 4-5 in conference play.  Under the helm of 14-year head coach Pete Richardson, the Jaguars have won five conference titles. This season, Southern is hopeful to regain its dominance in the SWAC behind the accomplished leadership of Richardson.

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