It has been nearly 15 years since these teams last met, but Howard and Morehouse will renew one of the most historic rivalries in Black college football when the schools face each other Saturday for the 1st Nation’s Football Classic at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

The Maroon Tigers and the Bison last met on the football field in 1997 but they share a spirited rivalry that dates back to 1923.

“The Morehouse community is very pleased about the renewal of the much-anticipated Nation’s Football Classic between Morehouse College and Howard University,” said Morehouse President Robert M. Franklin. “Alumni and students from both legendary institutions are excited.”

Indeed it should be a thrilling weekend with thousands of fans from both schools expected to descend on the nation’s capitol for a weekend of events surrounding the football game.

The schools announced in February they would renew the rivalry that had taken place only semi-regularly between 1955 and 1997. The Washington Convention and Sports Authority in partnership with the United Negro College Fund have organized a three-game series for the two programs to meet at RFK Stadium through 2013.

“Both school were founded in 1867 and we share many institutional goals,” Franklin said. “For years, we’ve engaged in friendly, mutually enhancing competition, on and off the gridiron. The Classic will include a great game and an important national dialogue about the future of higher education and Black male achievement.”

Tickets for the game range from $15 to $60 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information about the game, go to www.nationsfootballclassic.com.

Contact Terrance Harris at terrancefharris@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @Terranceharris