Albany State releases 2017 football schedule

ALBANY, Ga. –  The Albany State University Golden Rams have unveiled their football schedule for the 2017 season, ASU Director of Athletics Sherie C. Gordon announced on Friday.

Highlighting the 10-game slate are games with a familiar nonconference opponents, six SIAC conference games, two classics, and a first-ever meeting with an NAIA institution.

“We have a very competitive schedule which provides alumni, fans and supporters more opportunities to watch exciting football in our great stadium[SG1] ,” Gordon said.

The Golden Rams, who finished their 2016 season at 5-4, will kick off the season on Sept. 2 in Albany, Ga against the Valdosta State University Blazers. Valdosta State, a member of the Gulf South Conference, went 8-3 and made the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs last season. Last year, ASU lost to the VSU 16-7 in Valdosta.

Albany State will open SIAC play and continue a rivalry when it faces the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers on Sept. 9 in the 4th Annual White Water Classic in Phenix City, Alabama. Tuskegee made an appearance in the 2016 NCAA Division II second round and finished last year with a 9-3 overall record. TU defeated the Golden Rams 28-18 in last season’s classic. The Tuskegee game is the first of two SIAC West Division crossover games.

Albany State returns to action on Sept. 16 against North Greenville University in Albany. The Crusaders’ program is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association. NGU finished with a 9-5 overall record last season and lost in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

ASU will have another road game on Sept. 23. Golden Rams will travel to Carrollton, Ga. To face the University of West Georgia. The Gulf South member registered a 7-4 record last year.

On Sept. 30, the Golden Rams will visit the Miles College Golden Bears Fairfield, Ala. Albany State defeated the SIAC West Division opponent 35-33 in last year’s regular season meeting in Albany. MC finished the 2016 season with a 5-5 record.

Albany State will host University of Lincoln-Missouri for the first time in program history. The Tigers compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conferences in NCAA Division II and finished with a 1-10 overall record last year. ULM is now coached by former ASU offensive coordinator Steve Smith.

The Golden Rams will take on four SIAC East Division opponents beginning Oct. 14. They will battle with the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College in Albany as part of ASU’s annual homecoming celebration. Albany State defeated Morehouse 26-21 in the 2016 contest. The Maroon Tigers were 3-7 last season.

Albany State will then journey to Atlanta to take on the Clark Atlanta University Panthers on Oct. 21. In Albany, ASU beat CAU 17-7 in route to the Panthers’ 5-5 overall record.

Albany State will back home on Oct. 28. ASU will host the Benedict College Tigers in Albany. The Golden Rams defeated Benedict 34-7 in last year’s meeting, and the Tigers finished with a 5-6 overall record.

The two biggest rivals in the SIAC, Albany State and Fort Valley State University, will close its regular seasons in the 28th Annual Fountain City Classic on November 4 at the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Rams 21-17 in the 2016 classic game. FVSU finished 5-6 overall, but beat Kentucky State in the 2016 SIAC Championship Game. The FCC is touted as one of the biggest and best HBCU football classics in the nation.

The winners of the SIAC East and West divisions will play for the 2017 SIAC Championship game on November 11.

2017 Albany State Football Schedule

Courtesy: Albany State Athletics