INDIANAPOLIS – The Kentucky State University football program will be facing off against rival Central State this upcoming Saturday, Oct. 4, in the 31st Annual Circle City Classic® which will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
 
The two teams, who played their first game in 1947, have been longtime rivals and will meet for the 55^th time on Saturday.

While the Thorobreds have beaten CSU in six straight seasons (2008-13) the Marauders have a 35-18 edge in the overall rivalry. In 1957 the two teams played in their only tie of the series, ending the contest knotted at 13-13.
 
In their most recent matchup, the Thorobreds traveled to Central State in their second game of the 2013 season and defeated CSU, 38-17. In that game, KSU running back Jacquise Lockett rushed for a season-high 240 yards against the Marauders. That game also marked the first time the teams met as Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent's with Central State's football program joining the SIAC at the beginning of the 2013 season.
 
The Circle City Classic® is a joint collaboration between Indiana Black Expo, Inc. and the Indiana Sports Corporation. The net proceeds from the classic help support youth initiatives for each organization. Additionally, each year the Classic's educational partner, the Indianapolis Black Alumni Council, host an educational college fair that exposes over 2,500 youth to colleges and universities with scholarship opportunities exceeding $3 million.
 
"We are thrilled to have these two teams and their strong bases of alumni to participate in Classic this year," said Tanya Bell, President & CEO of the Indiana Black Expo. "We will rally together this year in the name of football, culture, music and tradition during the first weekend of October."
 
The theme for this year's Classic is "Buy One. Send One.," which reflects the purpose that Classic serves as a fundraiser to send Indiana students to college. "A ticket purchase will help pay for a student to attend college," Bell said. Since 1984, more than 3 million dollars in scholarships have been awarded to Indiana youth.
 
The Circle City Classic® game this year will feature the anticipated Battle of the Bands, one of the highlights of HBCU classics. The Thorobreds marching band has performed in several classics and has participated in the Honda All-Star Battle of the Bands.
 
Kentucky State's last Circle City Classic® appearance was in 2011 where the Thorobreds fell to Albany State University, 57-31. Central State has not played in Circle City Classic® since 2006.
 
Tickets are available by calling the Kentucky State athletic department at, 502-597-6011.
 
More information about tickets and events at the 31st Annual Circle City Classic® can be found here: http://www.circlecityclassic.com/