ASU adds Valdosta to football schedule

ALBANY A rivalry has been renewed.

Albany State University and Valdosta State University have inked a contract that will pit the football teams against each other on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m., ASU athletic officials announced on Monday.

The one-year deal which could eventually turn permanent also gives Albany State an additional home game this season and finalizes the 2011 football schedule.

We would have liked to have this 10th game scheduled a long time ago, but it worked out this way, ASU coach Mike White said. (Valdosta) is a very good team, and they have a very good record against us.

In fact, the VSU Blazers have won 13 of the 14 meetings in the series, which dates to 1982. The teams havent played since 2007, when the Blazers won, 41-3, in Valdosta.

Were thrilled to have Albany State back on our schedule, said VSU head coach David Dean. With the proximity of the two schools, it has always been a great rivalry and a big event for South Georgia. Both schools always bring large crowds to the games, and they have seen some great football played over the years.

Last season, ASU finished 11-1, while VSU went 8-3. Valdosta lost its opening-round games of the NCAA Div-II playoffs, while the Rams went 1-1 in postseason action.

Its a win-win for both teams, said interim ASU athletics director Dr. Richard H. Williams. This battle of the two South Georgia powerhouses will give fans of both teams added excitement for the 2011 season.

Even though the long-standing rivalry has been renewed, White said he is primarily focused on ASUs season opener on Sept. 3 against Savannah State University.

I am thinking about Savannah right now. We have some tough games to play before we start thinking about Valdosta, White said. And if we win or lose this Valdosta game, it doesnt make or break our season.

The 100 Black Men of Macon-Middle Georgia will sponsor ASUs game against Savannah State, which will be played at Henderson Stadium in Macon.

The Golden Rams will kick off the season in the Music City Classic against the Tigers in Macon. It will still count as a home game for ASU, Williams said. The organization has wanted both schools to play in the classic for some time, and we felt this was the right time to move the game back to central Georgia.

The teams played in the Macon Classic for six seasons from 1999 until 2004.

The Golden Rams beat the Tigers 28-14 in the Rumble in the Swamp Classic in Waycross last season. A member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Savannah State is the only Division I opponent on ASUs 2011 schedule.

With the move of the Savannah State game, the Wingate University game on Sept. 10 now becomes the J.W. Holley Memorial Game, ASUs first home game each season which honors its founder and first president.

The defending SBN Black College National and SIAC champions will open conference play against the Miles College Golden Bears on Sept. 24 at Alumni Field in Fairfield, Ala.

ASU then has back-to-back road games against the Kentucky State University Thorobreds in the 28th-annual Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Ind. on Oct. 1, and the Lane College Dragons on Oct. 8 in Jackson, Tenn.

The Rams will play the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers on Oct. 15 at home and the Clark Atlanta University Panthers in Atlanta on Oct. 22. ASU will play Benedict College in its homecoming game on Oct. 29 and close regular-season play on Nov. 5 against the Fort Valley State University Wildcats in the 22nd-annual Fountain City Classic in Columbus.

The winners of the SIACs East and West divisions will play for the 2011 conference championship on Nov. 12.

ASU game times and ticket information will be announced at a later date, Williams said.

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