Home games against Furman and Perennial Big South title contenders Coastal Carolina, Liberty and Stony Brook, as well as contests at Tennessee Tech and Vanderbilt, highlight the 2012 Presbyterian College football schedule.
"Our 2012 schedule is a very challenging one," said Head Coach Harold Nichols, whose 2011 squad finished with a record 3-3 mark in the Big South. "We get to play our first SEC opponent since we went Division I. Vanderbilt was a bowl team last year and our fans will get a chance to experience SEC football. Tennessee Tech will be another quality opponent out of the Ohio Valley Conference. They finished tied for first in the league so it'll make for another challenging road game for us."
The Blue Hose, who went 4-7 overall in 2011, open the season Sept. 1 against Brevard before traveling to Tennessee Tech Sept. 8. The Eagles were 7-5 last year and 6-2 in the OVC, finishing tied for first in the league. TTU participated in the NCAA FCS Play-offs, falling to Central Arkansas in the opening round.
"We play a very good Brevard program to open the season. Paul Hamilton has done a great job with that program."
Next on the schedule is Vanderbilt, which played in last season's Autozone Liberty Bowl, falling to Cincinnati, 31-24, to finish the season 6-7. The Commodores were fourth in the East Division of the SEC this past year.
For the first time since a 35-7 win Oct. 11, 1975, the Furman Paladins will be making a trip to Clinton to take on the Blue Hose Sept. 22. The Paladins own a 41-11-1 record in the series, which dates back to the 1913 season, the first year of football at PC. The Blue Hose are 3-4 against Furman in Clinton, S.C.
"Having Furman come here to New Bailey Stadium will be very exciting for us, as well as the return trip to Davidson from a couple of years ago."
The Blue Hose next travel to Davidson Sept. 29, before opening Big South play in Lexington, Va., Oct. 6, against VMI. PC defeated the Keydets, 38-6, last season for its first win over VMI in its last four tries.
PC returns to Clinton, S.C. for Homecoming Oct. 13 with a contest against Liberty. The Blue Hose will be looking for redemption after falling to the Flames, 20-27, in double overtime last season.
The Blue Hose head to Charleston, S.C., Oct. 20 to take on the Charleston Southern Bucs at Buccaneer Field before returning home to take on 2011 Big South Champion Stony Brook Oct. 27. PC earned its first win over CSU since 2005 last season with a 45-14 decision, and will be looking to pick up its first ever win against the Seawolves, having lost the last three meetings.
"We get Liberty, Coastal Carolina and Stony Brook at home this year. We'd much rather get those teams at home. They're such quality opponents, along with the Big South teams we have to play on the road."
After a bye week Nov. 3, the Blue Hose return to action for their final home game of the 2012 season. PC, which hosts Coastal Carolina in the Nov. 10 contest, lost a close 8-15 decision in the last meeting in Conway, S.C., in 2011.
The Blue Hose, which will be eligible to compete in post-season play in 2012, round out the regular season at Gardner Webb Nov. 17. PC defeated the Bulldogs last season, 28-14, marking the first time the team has won consecutive games against the same Big South opponent. The Blue Hose earned a 26-24 win in 2010, giving Head Coach Harold Nichols his first win at the helm.
"We've got a great schedule next season. Our kids are really excited about the teams they'll face next fall."
All Big South games will be streamed live on the Big South Network sponsored by State Farm at www.BigSouthSports.com. The radio and television schedule, including times, will be released at a later date.
2012 PC Football Schedule
September 1 - BREVARD (Scotsman Club Day)
September 8 - at Tennessee Tech
September 15 - at Vanderbilt
September 22 - FURMAN (Family Weekend)
September 29 - at Davidson
October 6 - at VMI
October 13 - LIBERTY (Homecoming)
October 20 - at Charleston Southern
October 27 - STONY BROOK
November 3 - Open Date
November 10 - COASTAL CAROLINA (Youth Day)
November 17 - at Gardner Webb
