INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Kentucky State football program will again have the opportunity to showcase itself on a big stage when they take on rival Central State in the Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.

Saturday will mark the second consecutive year in which the Thorobreds and Marauders will meet in the Classic, part of a multi-year deal that has the teams meeting in the Classic through at least 2017. Not only does the game give Kentucky State an opportunity to play in an NFL stadium, it will also be broadcast on ESPN3, making it the Thorobreds' first nationally televised game since 2007.

According to head coach Josh Dean, who helped lead the Thorobreds to a 31-24 win in last year's Circle City Classic, playing on such a stage helps promote the football program and Kentucky State University on a national level.

"It's great for our program on several levels," said Dean. "It's a form of excitement and something for the student athletes to get up for. They get to play at an NFL stadium and play in the Classic, where it's more than just the game. It's the atmosphere and the history between the two universities. It always seems to be a great contest, and we've been fortunate to win the last several games since I've been here. We look forward to trying to keep that tradition going."

On the football side, the Thorobreds will be looking for their first win in 2015, but will also hope to extend a seven-game winning streak over Central State in the series. Though the Marauders hold a 36-19-1 lead in the rivalry, Kentucky State has been in control recently, winning nine of ten games since the series returned from a nine year hiatus in 2005.

Though Kentucky State has been on top in the rivalry recently, Dean still sees the game as a stiff challenge for his team. After dropping its season opener to Alderson Broaddus, Central State comes into the game as a winner of two straight Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games, including a 24-0 shutout of Benedict last week.

"Coach Pearl being from the lineage of Tuskegee and Alabama A&M, he comes from an old school mentality of running the ball and playing solid defense, similar to my mentality and our philosophy here," Dean said of his Central State counterpart Cedric Pearl, who is in his second season as head coach of the Marauders. "They have an athletic quarterback and pretty good weapons on offense. On defense, they have several returners, guys who were young a couple years ago but are now seasoned players. It's a rivalry game, and it's going to be a tough contest."

The Thorobreds come into the contest looking to turn the corner after suffering some tough breaks in an 0-3 start. Kentucky State was competitive with Division I opponent Hampton before falling in the season opener, then saw its offense stall despite the defense scoring two touchdowns in a week two loss to Johnson C. Smith. Last week, the Thorobreds held Virginia State's offense scoreless, but allowed two special teams touchdowns in a 14-7 loss.

After an unlucky start to the season, the Thorobreds still have a clean slate at 0-0 in conference play, heading into Saturday's game. Dean and his team are hoping the Circle City Classic provides the opportunity to get a victory and build some momentum as they start SIAC competition.

"It's a huge contest for us because it's our conference opener," Dean finished. "Especially coming off the previous three games, we will try to view it as if it's a new season and that those games were the preseason. Now that we know what our identity is, we're excited to see how we can move forward and get on the winning stretch."

Saturday's Circle City Classic kicks off at 3 p.m. Tickets will still be available at the gate, and the ESPN3 broadcast can be seen HERE.