NORFOLK, Va., — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has announced its ESPN football package for the 2019 season, which features nine regular-season matchups on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN3 and one postseason appearance on ABC. The nationally-televised games are a part of the MEAC’s ongoing partnership with ESPN.
The 15th annual MEAC/SWAC Football Challenge kicks off the first full week of the 2019 season, featuring Bethune-Cookman against Jackson State of the SWAC, which will be televised live on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1. Bethune-Cookman will play in the classic for the fourth time in program history, while Jackson State will make its second appearance. The contest moved to a neutral site for the first time since 2015 last season, as it is now being played in Atlanta, Ga. at “Pete Petit Field” at Georgia State Stadium.
The ESPN3/ESPNU slate kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 26 at Delaware State travels to Greensboro, N.C. to face the defending MEAC and Celebration Bowl champion, North Carolina A&T State, at 7:30 p.m.
One week later, Morgan State will travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. to face Bethune-Cookman at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. That game will stream live on ESPN3 and be televised that evening on ESPNU.
The second Thursday night contest of the season will air on Oct. 10, as Bethune-Cookman travels to North Carolina Central for a showdown which will air live on ESPNU at 6 p.m.
The MEAC returns to the airwaves in the month of November with four contests, headlined by North Carolina Central at Howard on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m., live on ESPN3 and rebroadcast that evening on ESPNU. The Aggie-Eagle Classic featuring North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T State will be played on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m., live on ESPN3 and rebroadcast later that evening on ESPNU.
The annual Florida Classic featuring Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M will be played at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla on Nov. 23. The Florida Blue Florida Classic will air live at 3:30 p.m. on ESPNEWS.
Two wild card contests have been secured by the MEAC, one in October and one in November, featuring teams in contention for the conference title. The first wild card contest will take place on Oct. 12, followed by the second game on Nov. 16. Both games will stream live on ESPN3 and be televised that evening on ESPNU.
The fifth annual Celebration Bowl wraps up the season as the MEAC champion will square off against the SWAC champion on Saturday, Dec. 21 in Atlanta, Ga. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The contest will air live on ABC at 12 p.m.
Bethune-Cookman vs. Jackson State (MEAC/SWAC Challenge)
Live on ESPN2Thursday, Sept. 26 · 7:30 p.m.
Delaware State at North Carolina A&T State
Live on ESPNUSaturday, Oct. 5 · 4 p.m.
Morgan State at Bethune-Cookman
Live on ESPN3/Televised later on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 10 · 6 p.m.
Bethune-Cookman at North Carolina Central
Live on ESPNU
Saturday, Oct. 12 · TBA
MEAC Wildcard #1
Live on ESPN3/Televised later on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2 · 1 p.m.
North Carolina Central at Howard
Live on ESPN3/Televised later on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 16 · TBA
MEAC Wildcard #2
Live on ESPN3/Televised later on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23 · 1 p.m.
North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T State (Aggie-Eagle Classic)
Live on ESPN3/Televised later on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23 · 3:30 p.m.
Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman (Florida Blue Florida Classic)
Live on ESPNEWS
Saturday, Dec. 21 · 12 p.m.
MEAC Champion vs. SWAC Champion (Celebration Bowl)
Live on ABC
Please be advised that all games scheduled to be televised later are subject to change.
