Bethune-Cookman releases 2017 football schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Football will play 11 games during the 2017 campaign, it was announced Thursday, Feb. 16, by Lynn W. Thompson, BCU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. The schedule will be one of the toughest in all of FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), as BCU takes to the road to begin the season with four consecutive games away from Municipal Stadium.

The 2017 slate features three non-conference contests, including two against BCS (Bowl Championship Series) opponents. Another game features a perennial FCS power and top 25 opponent. Of the 11 games, seven will take place in the Sunshine State, with four games played inside Municipal Stadium aka The Cage.

“I think fans are going to be excited about the brand of football we will play in 2017, and they are going to want to see us every week as we challenge ourselves physically and mentally against such a tough schedule,” admitted second-year head coach Terry Sims. “This schedule gives us the chance to play against some of the best competition on both the FCS and BCS level.”

The Wildcats open the season at the University of Miami on September 2, serving as the season opener for the Hurricanes under the direction of second-year head coach Mark Richt. The following weekend, BCU travels to Southland Conference power Southeastern Louisiana on September 9, in Hammond, Louisiana.

On September 16, BCU travels south to Boca Raton, Florida, as the Wildcats take on the Florida Atlantic Owls under the direction of new head coach Lane Kiffin.

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play begins on the road in the nation’s capital on September 23, as Bethune-Cookman travels to Howard and another first-year head coach, with the Bison led by former University of Virginia head man Mike London. For BCU’s Terry Sims, this will be his first time facing his former employer since becoming head coach at the helm in Daytona Beach. Overall, it will be the first meeting between BCU and Howard since 2014.

Bethune-Cookman will enjoy its home opener on September 30 for Church & Community Day, as the Wildcats welcome Savannah State to Municipal Stadium. Two weeks later, South Carolina State comes to Daytona Beach on October 14, following a bye week for the Maroon and Gold.

BCU travels to Greensboro, North Carolina on October 21 for a matchup against North Carolina A&T, before returning home to face Hampton for a Homecoming weekend in Daytona Beach on October 28. This will be the first meeting between the Wildcats and Pirates since 2014, as Terry Sims faces the Pirates for the first time as a collegiate head coach.

Senior Appreciation Day for the Cats takes place the following week against Morgan State on November 4.

BCU travels to reigning three-time defending MEAC champion North Carolina Central on November 11, before closing the regular season against Florida A&M on November 18 in the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

“It’s a tough schedule featuring three non-conference games on the front end that prepares us for the MEAC slate,” said Thompson. “These early challenges should have us battle-tested when conference play begins.”

Season tickets go on sale on February 27, featuring the highly successful “Hook-up Package” for tickets for all four (4) home games on the home side of the stadium including seats for Homecoming.

2017 Bethune-Cookman Football Schedule

Courtesy: B-CU Athletics