March 11, 2008
Fayetteville, NC - The 2008 Fayetteville State University football schedule has been released listing the time, date, locations, and opponents for the Broncos upcoming season. The ten-game schedule will feature two games against NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision opponents and five home games. Fayetteville State finished second in the CIAA Western Division last season at 4-3 and had an overall record of 4-6.
"This is a very competitive schedule and one I know that should challenge our student-athletes," said Fayetteville State Head Football Coach Kenny Phillips. "We have two Sunday games, that will stand alone amongst other CIAA games. We have a year under our belts on the new home field (artificial turf), a new team entering the conference (Chowan), and two D-I teams to face. My coaching staff and I are truly looking forward to this upcoming season."
FSU will open the season on Sunday, August 31st against the Eagles of North Carolina Central University in their "Labor Day Classic". Fayetteville State will attempt to earn their ninth overall victory over N.C. Central; the Eagles finished last season at 6-4. This will be the second match-up between the two schools since NCCU left the CIAA for the MEAC.
On Saturday, September 6th the Broncos will take on Presbyterian College at 1:30 pm from the Bailey Memorial Stadium in Clinton, SC. Fayetteville State and Presbyterian have a rivalry brewing; 2008 will be the third time the two schools will have met on the gridiron in the last four years. The Blue Hose have won both meetings between the schools.
In the first home game of the season, the Broncos will face the Indians of Catawba College on Saturday, September 13th at 6 pm. This will be the fifth overall contest between the two schools. The Indians finished last season at 11-2 and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs (eliminated by Valdosta State, 55-29).
The Broncos will begin conference play at home against the Saint Paul's College Tigers on Saturday, September 20th at 6 pm. The Tigers finished with a 5-5 overall and a 4-3 conference record last season. Historically, Fayetteville State has earned 21 wins over Saint Paul's in 24 meetings.
The team will travel to Petersburg, VA on Saturday, September 27th to square off against Virginia State University at 6 pm. The Trojans were 4-6 overall last season.
Chowan University will participate in the Western Division of the CIAA in 2008. The Hawks have been playing an independent schedule since transitioning to DII status. Chowan hasn't been a member of a league since 2004 when it was still in the DIII USA South Conference. Fayetteville State will welcome the Hawks to the CIAA conference on Saturday, October 4th. The coin toss is scheduled for 6 pm on Luther "Nick" Jeralds' Stadium.
In its second Sunday game of the season, the Broncos face the defending CIAA Champions, Shaw University. The Bears suffered a 24-16 loss as Fayetteville State's homecoming opponent last year. FSU will travel to Durham, NC for this match-up, slated for October 12th at 4 pm.
The Broncos will return home on Saturday, October 18th for their homecoming dual with Johnson C. Smith University. FSU defeated the Golden Bulls last season 31-21 in Charlotte, NC. The Homecoming game will kickoff at 2 pm. Festivities will take place on campus throughout the week
The final road trip for Fayetteville State will be the short travel to Saint Augustine's College on Saturday, October 25th at 1:30 pm. The Falcons will be looking to avenge their 2007 13-10 loss to the Broncos. The regular season will come to a close at home on Saturday, November 1st against Livingstone College. FSU ruined the Blue Bears' homecoming last season with a 58-20 victory in Salisbury, NC.
