Trips to 2013 bowl participants Northern Illinois and Mississippi as well as ACC foe North Carolina State highlight a Presbyterian College 2014 football schedule that already includes contests with two teams that won FCS play-off games last season.
“I'm excited about the schedule we've put together,” said Head Coach Harold Nichols. “It'll be great for our fans to have the opportunity to go to some of the greatest stadiums in the country and I'm really looking forward to August and getting started on the 2014 season.”
The Blue Hose open the 2014 season Aug. 28, at Northern Illinois, a team that went 12-2 in 2013 and was perfect in the in the MAC last season, advancing to the Poinsettia Bowl. PC travels up to Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 20, to take on ACC power NC State, before rounding out its FBS schedule Nov. 8, at Mississippi. The Rebels went 8-5 last season and earned a 25-17 win over Georgia Tech in the Music City Bowl.
“I think PC has one of the toughest but most exciting schedules this season,” said Head Coach Harold Nichols. “We're looking forward to opening the season against Northern Illinois in DeKalb. They were in the Orange Bowl two years ago and were in the Poinsettia Bowl this year after playing for the MAC Championship. We have the opportunity to play at some great venues like Mississippi and Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Coach (Hugh) Freeze and his staff have done a great job there, earning a bowl win last year. Going to NC State is going to be tough, knowing that Coach (Dave) Doeren has done a tremendous job turning things around there. Those are really tough FBS teams. They good thing is that they're spread out a little bit and we don't have them back to back.”
PC opens the 2014 home slate against Bluefield College before hosting 2013 Southern Conference Champion Furman Sept. 13. The Paladins advanced to the second round of last season's FCS play-offs. The Blue Hose take on another SoCon foe in Western Carolina Oct. 4. Catamount Head Coach Mark Speir was an assistant coach at PC from 1997-99 and worked with Coach Nichols and Coach Spangler.
“You turn to Western Carolina and Furman at home, two great Southern Conference opponents. We're excited about renewing the series with the Catamounts. Mark Speir, their head coach was a former PC assistant coach in the late 90s with myself and Coach Spangler. He's doing a great job with that program.”
The Blue Hose face Coastal Carolina Oct. 11 to open the Big South schedule. The Chanticleers earned the league title last season and advanced to the FCS Quarterfinals. After a trip to Charleston Southern Oct. 18, PC returns home to face conference newcomer Monmouth Oct. 25. The Blue Hose host Liberty Nov. 1, before closing out the league regular season at Gardner-Webb Nov. 15th.
“From my time in the northeast Monmouth has a great tradition. They'll be a tough opponent and I'm glad we have them here to open the series. We then we have our typical tough conference schedule. The good thing is we have Coastal Carolina and Liberty at home.”
All Big South games will be streamed live at no charge 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.
2014 PC Football Schedule
August 28 – at Northern Illinois
September 6 – BLUEFIELD
September 13 – FURMAN
September 20 – at NC State
October 4 – WESTERN CAROLINA
October 11 – COASTAL CAROLINA
October 18 – at Charleston Southern
October 25 – MONMOUTH (Homecoming)
November 1 – LIBERTY
November 8 – at Mississippi
November 15 – at Gardner- Webb
