Sports

Montgomery, AL (Sports Network) - Alabama State will begin defense of its Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division title by kicking off its 2011 season Sept. 3 at Mississippi Valley State.

The Hornets, who lost to Texas Southern in the 2010 SWAC Championship Game to finish 7-5 last season, will play one Football Bowl Subdivision opponent - a visit to Eastern Michigan on Sept. 10 - and five home games at Cramton Bowl as parts of their 11-game schedule.

The home game are against SWAC opponents Grambling State (Sept. 17), Alcorn State (Oct. 1), Prairie View A&M (Oct. 15) and Southern (Nov. 12) as well as NCAA Division II Tuskegee, who the Hornets in the 88th Turkey Day Classic on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 24.

In addition, coach Reggie Barlow's squad will play Alabama A&M in the 70th Magic City Classic on Oct. 29 at Legion Field in Birmingham. Last year's game drew a crowd of 61,879 to Legion Field - the largest single-game attendance for the Football Championship Subdivision in 2010.

2011 Alabama State Football Schedule

All Times ET

Sept. 3, at Mississippi Valley State*, Itta Bena, Miss., 6 p.m.

Sept. 10, at Eastern Michigan, Ypsilanti, Mich., TBA

Sept. 17, Grambling State*, Montgomery, Ala., 8 p.m.

Sept. 24, at Jackson State*, Jackson, Miss., 5 p.m.

Oct. 1, Alcorn State*, Montgomery, Ala., 8 p.m.

Oct. 8, at Texas Southern*, Houston, TBA

Oct. 15, Prairie View A&M*, Montgomery, Ala., 2 p.m.

Oct. 29, Alabama A&M*, Birmingham, Ala., TBA

Nov. 5, at Arkansas-Pine Bluff*, Pine Bluff, Ark., 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 12, Southern*, Montgomery, Ala., 2 p.m.

Nov. 24, Tuskegee, Montgomery, Ala., 2 p.m.

*-SWAC game

04/04 11:48:59 ET