Morehouse steps into SWAC to open 2019 football season

Courtesy: Morehouse Athletics

ATLANTA, Ga. — The Morehouse College athletics department released its 2019 football schedule Thursday, highlighted by a season-opening matchup against DI FCS and SWAC member, Alabama A&M University in Canton, Ohio, as well as four home games at B.T. Harvey Stadium.

Under the direction of Rich Freeman, who enters his 13th season as head coach of the Maroon Tigers program this fall, Morehouse kicks off their 2019 season against the Bulldogs on Sunday, Sept. 1, in the inaugural Black College Hall of Fame Classic at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It’s the first meeting between the two schools since 1997 when AAMU defeated MHC 38-14.

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After it’s season opener against Alabama A&M, the Maroon Tigers hit the road to Jacksonville, Fla. to take on Edwards Waters College on Sept. 7. Morehouse defeated the Tigers, 19-13 in 2016, and lead the overall series, 7-1.

MHC remains on the road as they travel to Fairfield, Ala. for the Prince Hall Americanism Football Classic and take on SIAC defending champion, Miles College, in a non-conference match-up on Sept. 14. The Maroon Tigers defeated the Golden Bears last season 23-21 on the final play of the game in the XXI Chicago Football Classic. Morehouse has won seven of the last 10 meetings and hold a 26-17 advantage in the overall series.

After a bye week on Sept. 21, the Maroon Tigers play their first of four home games and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Sept. 28, as they welcome Savannah State University back to the SIAC for MHC’s home opener. The teams last met in 2007 when Morehouse beat the Tigers 32-14.

The following week the Maroon Tigers welcome Kentucky State University to B. T. Harvey Stadium on Oct. 5. Last season Morehouse held on to beat the Thorobreds, 23-21, in Frankfort, Ky. MHC holds a 15-12 edge in the overall series and have won nine of the last 10 including four in a row.

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Morehouse travels up the road to square off against Tuskegee University in the 84th Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic held at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, Ga. on Oct. 12. Last season the Maroon Tigers pulled off a triple-overtime thriller beating the Golden Tigers, 30-24, while also snapping a six-game losing streak.

Following the TU contest, Morehouse visits Fort Valley State University on Oct. 19. Last season MHC lost a heartbreaker on homecoming, 27-22, extending the losing streak to the Wildcats to four games. FVSU leads the overall series 33-12.

The Maroon Tigers close out the month of October welcoming Benedict College for homecoming on Oct. 26. Morehouse earned a hard-fought, 14-10 victory last season spoiling BC’s homecoming. MHC leads the overall series over the Tigers 17-9-4. The following week the Maroon Tigers travels to Albany, Ga. to take on defending SIAC eastern division champion Albany State University on Nov. 2. The Golden Rams beat Morehouse 41-19 last season snapping MHC’s six game winning streak to start the season. ASU leads the overall series 30-8 and have won the last 10 contest.

Morehouse wraps up the regular season on Nov. 9 as they host AUC rival, Clark Atlanta University for senior day. Last season the Panthers beat the Maroon Tigers 30-13 at Panther Stadium. The teams come into the game with an identical 48-48-2 in the all-time series.

Spring practice is set to begin next week on Mar. 18. The Maroon Tigers are projected to return 15 starters off last year’s squad that went 7-3 and was the last remaining undefeated HBCU after starting the season 6-0 the best start by a Morehouse team since 1919.
 
2019 MOREHOUSE COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Date      Opponent                                                   Location                         Time
9.1        vs. Alabama A&M University ^                    Canton, Ohio                    TBD
9.7        at Edward Waters College                          Jacksonville, Fla.              7 p.m.
9.14      at Miles College @                                      Fairfield, Ala.                    7 p.m.
9.21      OPEN
9.28      SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY *            ATLANTA, Ga.                 6 p.m.
10.5      KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY *            ATLANTA, Ga.                 6 p.m.
10.12    vs. Tuskegee University * &                         Columbus, Ga.                  2 p.m.
10.19    at Fort Valley State University *                   Fort Valley, Ga.                  2 p.m.
10.26    BENEDICT COLLEGE * %                          ATLANTA, Ga.                 2 p.m.
11.2      at Albany State University *                          Albany, Ga.                       2 p.m.
11.9      CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY * #            ATLANTA, Ga.                2 p.m.
 
* –  Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Game
^ – Black College Hall of Fame Classic (Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium — Canton, Ohio)
@ – Prince Hall Americanism Football Classic (Sloan-Alumni Stadium — Fairfield, Ala.)
& –  84th Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic (A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium — Columbus, Ga.)
% – Homecoming
# – Senior Day