CLINTON, S.C. – The 2016 Presbyterian College football schedule, announced by the head coach Harold Nichols on Wednesday, will likely prove to be one of the toughest at the FCS level next season. The slate is highlighted by games against FBS opponents Central Michigan and Florida, in addition to playing three teams that made the FCS playoffs in 2015.
“I'm excited about the 2016 football schedule,” said coach Nichols. “It's a very challenging schedule, as we play three FBS schools and two other teams that made the FCS playoffs. It should give us a great opportunity for exposure for our program as we continue in the Division I era and look to build for the future.”
PC will open the season on the road for the fourth straight with another FBS opponent. This time, it will face MAC foe Central Michigan on Thursday, September 1, in its season opener. It is the third straight season PC opens with a MAC opponent and is the second time in three seasons it opens on a Thursday night.
The Blue Hose travel to Chattanooga on September 10 to face the Mocs for the second straight season. UTC won the Southern Conference in 2015 and advanced to the FCS playoffs for second straight season, before eventually falling to top-seeded Jacksonville State in the second round to finish 9-4.
PC makes a trip to Campbell on September 17 to end a three-game road trip to start the season. The Blue Hose topped Campbell, 23-13, at Bailey Memorial Stadium last season in the team's home opener.
The Blue Hose will finally open its home schedule on September 24 with its first ever matchup against Florida Tech. That is the latest date that PC has played its home opener since 2010 when it didn't play a home game until September 25 against North Greenville. It has won four straight home openers entering 2016 with the last loss coming in 2011.
The schedule features an open date on October 1, before the Blue Hose play host to Monmouth on October 8, in the earliest conference game since 2012. It will be the third meeting between the two teams since the Hawks joined the Big South for the 2014 season.
PC then goes on the road for two straight games with trips to Gardner-Webb and Charleston Southern on October 15 and 22, respectively. PC has gone toe-to-toe in close games with both opponents in recent years, including 2015 with both games against GWU and CSU decided by less than a touchdown.
The Blue Hose return home for their final two home games of the 2016 slate against Coastal Carolina and Liberty. The Chanticleers come to town on October 29 for a non-conference game in its first season transitioning to the FBS level. The Liberty Flames head to PC on November 5 to wrap up PC's home schedule.
PC will make its first trip to Kennesaw State on November 12 in the Owls' second season as a program. The Blue Hose edged KSU, 14-6, in the first ever meeting between the two in the 2015 season finale.
Finally, PC concludes the 2016 season at SEC power Florida on November 19. It will be PC's third game against an SEC opponent since moving to Division I in 2007 and its first against the Gators.
Both Florida and Central Michigan have earned bowl bids for the 2015 season. The Gators will take on Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl on January 1, while Central Michigan is set to play Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl on December 28.
Game times and game designations will be announced at later date.
2016 Presbyterian Football Schedule
Thu, Sept. 1 at Central Michigan
Sat, Sept. 10 at Chattanooga
Sat, Sept. 17 at Campbell
Sat, Sept. 24 vs. Florida Tech
Sat, Oct. 8 vs. Monmouth*
Sat, Oct. 15 at Gardner-Webb*
Sat, Oct. 22 at Charleston Southern*
Sat, Oct. 29 vs. Coastal Carolina
Sat, Nov. 5 vs. Liberty*
Sat, Nov. 12 at Kennesaw State*
Sat, Nov. 19 at Florida
* Big South game
