Morgan State to Face Alabama State in 2027 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff

BALTIMORE, Md. (August 4, 2026) — Morgan State football will open the 2027 season on one of the biggest stages in HBCU football as the Bears have been selected to compete in the 2027 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff against Alabama State.

The nationally recognized season-opening showcase is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 28, 2027, at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Morgan State will represent the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) against the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion, the Alabama State Hornets, in the annual Week Zero classic.

The matchup replaces the previously announced contest featuring South Carolina State and Alabama State and marks another significant national opportunity for the Bears program.

"We're excited to represent Morgan State University and the MEAC on one of college football's premier opening-weekend stages," said head coach Damon Wilson. "The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is a celebration of HBCU football, and we're looking forward to competing against an outstanding Alabama State program in front of a national audience."

Since its inception, the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff has become one of the signature events in HBCU football, annually showcasing premier programs from the MEAC and SWAC while launching the college football season during Week Zero.

Earlier this month, ESPN Events announced new multi-year agreements with both conferences, extending the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff and the Cricket Celebration Bowl through the 2030-31 season, further strengthening the partnership and national exposure for HBCU football.

Morgan State's appearance in the Challenge adds another milestone for a program that continues to build momentum under Wilson's leadership while expanding its national profile through high-level non-conference competition and nationally televised appearances.

Game time, television designation, ticket information, and additional event details for the 2027 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff will be announced at a later date by ESPN Events.

Season tickets for Morgan State's 2026 football campaign are now available. Click here to purchase.

For additional information on MEAC football, visit MEACSports.com.

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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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