The 2011 Presbyterian College football season officially opens this Saturday, Sept. 3 as the Blue Hose host the 8th-Ranked Wofford Terriers at Bailey Memorial Stadium at 1:30 p.m. in Clinton, S.C.
The Terriers come to Clinton for the first time since a 21-20 win back in 1995. In a tight overall series, the Blue Hose hold the slight 40-37-3 edge, dating back to the 1914 season, but it is Wofford that has won the last three.
The series dates back to the 1914 season. In just PC's second year of college football, the Blue Hose took to the field and defeated the Terriers 104-0. After nine consecutive wins, Wofford earned its first win in 1924, a 19-7 decision
In all the two teams have met 80 times with the Terriers having taken the last three contests, including a 38-21 win in Spartanburg. This will be the first time Wofford has played in New Bailey Memorial Stadium, as the last time the Terriers visited Clinton, S.C. was in 1995, seven years before the existing stadium opened. Head Coach Harold Nichols has never lost to Wofford, as a player. The Blue Hose won all four games against the Terriers during his time as a student-athlete.
Presbyterian College, 2-9 in 2010, returns six offensive starters and nine from defense this season. The offensive players are Blake Dowd (OL), Billy Kaylor (OL), Patrick McCoy (WR), Michael Ruff (WR), Max Travis (OL) and Stephon Williams (OL). The defensive starting returners are Justin Bethel (CB), Xavier Boatwright (DL), Matthan Burton (DB), Cedric Byrd (S), Brian Davis (DL), CeeJay Harris (LB), Damon Lawrence (CB), Keyadd Miller (DE) and LJ Perry (LB).
Wofford returns 15 starters from a team that went 10-3 in 2010. Wofford advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 2010 FCS play-offs and are currently ranked eighth in both the FCS Coaches poll and the Sports Network poll.
The Blue Hose are 29-64-5 in season-openers. The last win came in 2006 with a 10-0 victory over West Georgia. This is the first time PC has opened the season at home since 2005, when the team hosted West Georgia and came away with the 48-13 win.
All five home games this year will be shown live the Big South Network. Fans can log into www.BigSouthSports.com for a subscription. Two home games, Gardner Webb and Charleston Southern, will be broadcast on WMYA-TV, while the game at Furman will be shown on CSS. The game can also be heard on the radio at WLBG.
For ticket information please call 864.833.8240 or visit www.GoBlueHose.com.
