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Arizona is not what comes to mind when one thinks of Black College Football. The state is far from the southeastern hub of Black College Football and has not hosted a notable HBCU classic. The only routine HBCU crossover comes when Ottawa University-Arizona hosts its Sooner Athletic Conference counterparts Langston, Texas College, or Arkansas Baptist.
The most notable HBCU moment in the state of Arizona came in 2016, when Grambling raced to a 21-3 lead against Arizona, before fading and losing 31-21. That game remains one of the greatest “what-ifs” in SWAC history.
This makes Saturday’s Morgan State-Arizona State game so unique. It marks the furthest west Morgan State has traveled since _. The game is also Arizona State’s first against an HBCU. Surprisingly, Mountain America Stadium has a hint of Black College Football history attached to it.
Many college football fans remember Mountain America Stadium’s tenures hosting the Fiesta Bowl and the Insight/Buffalo Wild Wings/Cactus Bowl. However, few realized it hosted an all-star game as well.
In January 2011, Sun Devil Stadium (now Mountain America Stadium) hosted the Eastham Energy All-Star Game before the game moved to Tucson. It was one of many short-lived attempts at all-star games throughout the 2000s, but found a way to last three years. Six HBCU stars played in the first edition at Sun Devil Stadium.
Delaware State wide receiver Larrone Moore earned an invitation to the Eastham Energy All-Star Game after building a reputation as one of the FCS’ most dangerous kick returners. Moore earned 3rd-Team All-America honors from Sports Network after averaging a staggering 34.8 yards per return and scoring twice in 2010. Moore returned 15 kickoffs for 522 yards.
Larrone Moore’s 2010 season culminated a stellar career that saw him return 39 kickoffs for 1,113 yards for an average of 28.5 yards per return. Moore was one of the lone bright spots in the Hornets’ visit to Michigan, returning a kickoff for 51 yards and gaining 94 all-purpose yards.
He was also an accomplished receiver, catching 102 passes for 1236 yards across his career in Dover. Moore exceeded the century mark in receiving twice in his career.
A trio of elite linemen joined Moore on offense. Guard Josh Harrison and tackle Johnny Culbreath represented South Carolina State after productive careers. Harrison earned All-MEAC honors twice and was a 2010 Sheridan Broadcasting Network Black College All-American. Culbreath was a Second Team Associated Press All-American in 2009 and a Walter Camp and American Football Coaches Association First Team All-American in 2010. Virginia Union’s David Mims received an invitation to the Eastham Energy All-Star Game after earning Division II All-American honors in 2009 and 2010.
Two HBCU players received invitations to the Sun Devil Stadium all-star game in Arkansas-Pine Bluff defensive tackle Ibrahim Abdulai and Fort Valley State cornerback Dionte Dinkins. Ibrahim Abdulai earned his invitation after a disruptive 2010 season where he had 67 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Dinkins intercepted four passes in 2009 on his way to second-team All-SIAC honor, but had an injury-riddled 2010 season. Nevertheless, he found a way to still break up five passes in limited action.
In all, 6,954 fans saw the thrilling inaugural edition of the Eastham Energy All-Star Game, with the Stripes team defeating the Stars 40-34. The box score makes no mention of the six aforementioned HBCU stars. The sparse attendance led organizers to move the game to Tucson’s Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium for the game’s final two years.
It may not seem like much, but there is a unique connection between Black College Football and Mountain America Stadium. Morgan State can join the six Black College Football stars of the Eastham Energy All-Star game and etch themselves in to Mountain America Stadium’s long, storied history.
