DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Bethune-Cookman University officially released its 2020 football schedule today [February 24, 2020] that features five home games, seven games within the state of Florida, and two first-time opponents.
"Priority one is an attractive yet challenging schedule for our program and fans. Priority two is for our fans to have the convenience to follow us in person, so a five-game home schedule and the affordability of seven games in state was negotiated with those goals in mind. We want and need the support of our fans," said
Lynn W. Thompson, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics.
Kicking off the season against first-time opponent University of South Florida Bulls will also serve as BCU's first appearance in Tampa since the Florida Classic moved from Tampa Stadium to Orlando in 1997. Another first-time opponent on the Wildcats' schedule will appear on Halloween when BCU plays host to the Texans of Tarleton State University on October 31st. The Texans, 11-1 in 2019, were champions of the Division II Lone Star Conference and have transitioned to Division I FCS for 2020.
To round out the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Wildcats travel to Pine Bluff, Arkansas to renew a rivalry with a Southwest Athletic conference opponent, the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions, on September 19
th. The Golden Lions were the 2019 turnaround team in the SWAC with a record of 6-5.
BCU Head Football Coach
Terry Sims is also very excited about this challenging schedule.
"The first ever chance to line up against USF in Tampa will be an exciting way to kickoff our season, and to host one of the nation's toughest former Division II powerhouses in Tarleton State as they transition to Division I will also be a great challenge." Sims said.
Sims, who just concluded his fifth season as the Head Wildcat, is also excited about five home games in Daytona Beach.
"It's a task for us to get non-conference Division I teams to come to Daytona Beach, so to actually have five games in Daytona Beach, and seven in the state of Florida should be a real treat for our fans and a great opportunity for our team,' said Sims.
Here's how the schedule plays out:
The Wildcat sit out week one and then go eleven straight weeks into battle, beginning with two road games, first in Tampa on September 12
th against USF, an FBS opponent from the American Athletic Conference.
On the 19
th, the Wildcats resume a rivalry with their visit to Arkansas Pine Bluff. The two teams last meet in Daytona Beach in 2005.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) conference and home opener against Howard University with its new head football coach and former UF and UM assistant Larry Scott is September 26
th. On October 3
rd, Morgan State hosts the Wildcats in Baltimore, and then it's back to Daytona Beach for
HOMECOMING 2020 on October 10
th against North Carolina Central.
The second half of the season features four teams that combined for 37 wins in 2019. On October 17
th the Wildcats travel to Norfolk State to face the most explosive offensive team in the league, followed by a visit to defending league co-champ South Carolina State on October 24
th in Orangeburg, S.C.
It's three straight home games to close out the home season beginning with a Halloween "Trick or Treat" affair as Tarleton State makes its first visit to Daytona Beach on October 31
st , followed by consecutive MEAC dates with Delaware State on November 7
th , then Senior Day on November 14
th as the Cats celebrate their Seniors in front of the North Carolina A&T Aggies in A&T's final MEAC appearance in Daytona Beach before they join the Big South in 2021.
The 2020 regular season ends in Orlando's Camping World Stadium as the Wildcats once again battle the Florida A&M Rattlers in the Florida Blue Florida Classic.
Season tickets go on-sale March 16th. For more information contact the BCU Box Office at (386) 481-2465.
Follow BCU football on social media on the official twitter feed @BCUGridiron and on Instagram at /bcugridiron.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY 2020 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE