New York HBCU Football Classic Brings Excitement for Morehouse Students and Staff

By Justin EvansSep 16, 2022, 12:28 PM EDT

The 2022 HBCU New York Football Classic is set to kick off this weekend at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Morehouse Maroon Tigers (0-2) will face off against the Howard Bison (0-3) as both teams are looking for their first regular season win.

This will be the first time since 2015 that the teams have played against each other. With Howard winning the previous four matchups against the Tigers, Morehouse is looking to get a win on one of the biggest stages in football at MetLife Stadium.

This will be the 37^th time in history that they will play each other. Howard has a dominating 25-10-2 record against Morehouse all-time. Both teams started the 2021 season with at least four straight losses before achieving their first win.

Morehouse head football coach Rich Freeman is excited for his team to play on Saturday.

“This venue is what every student-athlete and coach dreams of! National television coupled with playing in a state-of-the-art facility against a long-time rival, we’re excited!” Freeman said in an email this week.

For some of the student-athletes, it will be their first time playing in a nationally televised game.

Linebacker Dantez Simpson has been prepared for moments like these, but New York is a new territory for him as he waits for Saturday. “Coming from a big high school program I have played on big stages before, such as playing in the Mercedes Benz Stadium (in Atlanta). New York is a different vibe and I have never been, but I normally play better on big stages. I am excited,” said Simpson.

Outside of the football classic, the Tigers will get a chance to attend an NFL game on Sunday courtesy of the New York Giants, as the Giants take on the Carolina Panthers.

Coach Freeman sees this game as a big opportunity for both teams to shine.

“This game not only sparks our team for the 2022 football season, but our program and College for many years to come with the visibility that it brings. The game also helps to boost morale and institutional pride on both campuses,” said Freeman.

While the football players are looking forward to playing a big game on Saturday, both marching bands will also perform and be with the teams.

Howard’s “Showtime” and Morehouse’s “House of Funk” bands will perform three separate times on Saturday. The bands will play in the stadium for a “zero quarter” performance before the game, a battle of the bands during halftime and another performance postgame.

Many of the band members will travel alongside the football team as they get ready to perform on national television.

Morehouse senior Yasir Muhammad is a Section Leader for the mellophone area in the “House of Funk” marching band at Morehouse College. He has been with the team all four years and has traveled with the band for games like these. This will be his first time traveling to New York alongside his bandmates.

“I have honestly never traveled that far to perform; I am excited to travel and face Howard but also a bit nervous as well being on such a big stage,” said Muhammad.

The Maroon Tigers and “House of Funk” traveled to New York on Thursday, September 15^th.

The HBCU New York City Football Classic will be televised this Saturday, September 17^thon CNBC at 3 p.m. ET.

How to watch Howard vs Morehouse:

Where: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
When: Saturday, September 17 at 3:00 PM ET
Stream live: Watch on Peacock and CNBC

Author’s Note: Justin Evans is a Senior Sports Journalism Major From Morehouse College. He is a Chicago native and has aspirations to become a sports reporter in the future has he graduates in December. He is passionate about storytelling as he looks to become a sports reporter in the future! You can follow him on Instagram at justinevans_1999.

Wisconsin college football history: Big Ten and national titles, stadium, 2023 season outlook and more

By Kyle LynchMay 11, 2023, 6:10 PM EDT

Winners of the inaugural Big Ten title in 1896, the Wisconsin Badgers enter a new era in 2023 with Luke Fickell taking over as head coach. Fickell takes over a team which finished last season with a losing conference record for the first time since 2008 and enters this year with a new quarterback under center.

Beginning this fall, NBC and Peacock will be the exclusive home of Big Ten Saturday Night, a primetime football game each weekend. Peacock will also serve as the exclusive home for eight additional Big Ten football games each season. Keep reading for a primer on all things Wisconsin and all things Big Ten ahead of the 2023 season.

How long has Wisconsin been in the Big Ten?

Wisconsin is one of the original members of the Big Ten, playing in the conference’s inaugural season in 1896. The Badgers won each of the first two conference titles, finishing first in the Big Ten in both 1896 and 1897.

Has Wisconsin ever won the Big Ten championship?

Wisconsin has won 14 Big Ten championships, including the inaugural title in the 1896 season. Their most recent Big Ten championship came in the 2012 season, which capped off three-straight conference titles for the Badgers from 2010 to 2012.

Has Wisconsin ever won the national championship?

No, Wisconsin has never won a national championship in football. In the 1962 season, Wisconsin finished second in both the AP and Coaches polls behind Southern Cal, who defeated Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl that season.

What is the name of Wisconsin’s stadium?

With a capacity of more than 80,000, Camp Randall Stadium serves as the home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team. The land was originally used for training Wisconsin troops during the Civil War and is named after Wisconsin’s first wartime governor, Alexander W. Randall. Camp Randall is home to one of college football’s greatest traditions, with the crowd erupting with the playing of the song “Jump Around” by House of Pain.

Who is Wisconsin’s head coach?

After leading Cincinnati for the past six seasons, Luke Fickell is entering his first year as head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. Fickell replaces Paul Chryst, who was fired last October and replaced by Jim Leonhard, who finished the year as interim head coach. Fickell went 57-18 over his six seasons in Cincinnati, including a trip to the 2021 College Football Playoff. He is no stranger to the Big Ten, playing at Ohio State in the 1990’s and spending 16 of his first 18 seasons in coaching on the Buckeyes’ staff, including one year as head coach (2011).

What is Wisconsin’s mascot?

Bucky Badger (full name Buckingham U. Badger) is the mascot for the Wisconsin Badgers. While the badger has been the university’s mascot since 1889, the first costumed Bucky did not make an appearance until 1949 and is known for wearing his signature red and white striped shirt.

What is Wisconsin’s 2023 season outlook?

The Luke Fickell era is beginning in Madison, with Fickell taking over a team that has won a bowl game in eight of the past nine seasons. Coming with Fickell is new offensive coordinator Phil Longo, who spent the past four years in the same position at North Carolina. Longo is known for having a pass-heavy offense with the Tar Heels and will look to bring that to a Wisconsin program known for a ground-and-pound, run-heavy attack. Fickell and Longo brought in three new quarterbacks from the transfer portal to replace former starter Graham Mertz, who transferred to Florida. Redshirt senior Tanner Mordecai, who played at both Oklahoma and SMU, looks set to take over as the starting QB in Madison this year.

How to Watch Big Ten Football on NBC and Peacock

In August 2022, NBCUniversal and the Big Ten Conference today announced a landmark 7-year agreement for NBC and Peacock to become the exclusive home of Big Ten Saturday Night football, beginning in fall of 2023. Peacock will also serve as the exclusive home for eight additional Big Ten Football games each season.

NBC Sports/Peacock’s new agreement with college sports’ top conference will also feature dozens of men’s and women’s basketball games (including multiple games each year in the Men’s and Women’s Big Ten Tournaments), Olympic sports, golf and more, providing hundreds of hours of Big Ten content across Peacock.

What devices can I watch Peacock on?

Peacock is currently available on the Roku platform; Amazon FireTV and Fire tablets; Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD; Google platforms and devices including Android™, Android TV™ devices, Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices; Microsoft’s Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One S and Xbox One X; Sony PlayStation4 and PlayStation 4 Pro; Samsung Smart TVs; VIZIO SmartCast™ TVs; LG Smart TVs; Comcast’s entertainment platforms including Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex, and XClass TV; and Cox’s Contour and Contour Stream Player devices. To learn more about Peacock and how to sign up, visit PeacockTV.com.

When will UCLA, USC join the Big Ten Conference?

By Annie CoryMar 14, 2023, 4:46 PM EDT

The Big Ten has served as one of the nation’s premier intercollegiate athletic conferences for over 125 years. Originally founded by a group of seven universities led by Purdue president James H. Smart, the group has grown by leaps and bounds since its formation in 1896. The conference that was originally comprised of seven teams grew to an eventual 14, and is now set to expand to 16 with the groundbreaking addition of UCLA and USC to the Big Ten.

When will USC, UCLA join the Big Ten?

Crosstown rival programs USC and UCLA both announced in summer 2022 that they will leave the Pac-12 Conference for the Big Ten on August 2, 2024.

The move rocked the college football world, considering the length of time that both schools were members of their previous conference. USC had held Pac-12 membership since 1922, winning a total of 39 conference football titles and nine basketball titles in that span. The UCLA Bruins were a part of the group since 1928, taking home 16 football and 32 basketball conference titles in those years.

UCLA and USC’s transition was announced on the heels of Oklahoma and Texas confirming their departure for the SEC last season, a move that is set to transpire ahead of the 2025 college football season.

Come 2024, the Pac-12 will be comprised of only 10 members, while the Big Ten will stretch from coast to coast.

What schools are in the Big Ten Conference?

University of Michigan
Ohio State University
Penn State University
University Maryland
Michigan State University
Indiana University
Rutgers University
Purdue University
University of Illinois
University of Iowa
University of Minnesota
University of Wisconsin
University of Nebraska
Northwestern University
USC (will join in 2024)
UCLA (will join in 2024)

Why is it called the Big Ten?

Despite its current 14 members, the conference retains its title of “Big Ten” to this day. The name originated after Michigan rejoined in 1917, bringing the membership from nine to 10 teams. Media members were the first to dub the group the “Big Ten”, which was eventually confirmed as the conference’s official name in 1987.

How can I watch Big Ten football, basketball and more?

While Big Ten football coverage for the 2023 season will be split among NBC, Fox and CBS, NBC and Peacock will be the home of the conference’s biggest game every week with Big Ten Saturday Night. NBC Sports’ new agreement with the Big Ten will also feature coverage of several men’s and women’s basketball games, Olympic sports, golf and more.

It became official in August of 2022 that NBC will air Big Ten Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock, with a primetime football game each fall weekend.