Benedict Football Gets National TV Game

COLUMBIA, S.C. (BC SID) — Benedict College’s football game at Miles College has been changed to Thursday, Oct. 2 and will be televised on CBS Sports Network as part of the NCAA Division II Football Game of the Week television package. “This is very exciting for Benedict College, the alumni, our fans and our students,” Benedict head football coach James Woody said. “This will be great exposure for our football players and will help the future of the program with recruiting, as well.” The NCAA recently announced its seven-game schedule of Division II televised football games. The Benedict at Miles will be the only game between two SIAC teams, and the only contest between two HBCU schools. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time; 7 p.m, Central Time in Fairfield, Ala. Miles defeated Benedict 27-13 last season, and went on to play in the SIAC Championship game. “Miles is a good football team, and coach (Reginald) Ruffin does a great job,” Woody said. “Last year we matched up with them pretty good. Hopefully, this year we continue to match up and compete with them.” Benedict last played on television on Sept. 6, 2012 against Bowie State. This year’s seven-game Thursday night slate opens Sept. 4 and features three conference champions and four teams from last year’s championship field. Teams appearing in this year’s television package combined for a 103-55 (.651) record last season, and seven teams included in this year’s schedule received votes in the final 2013 AFCA Coaches Poll. “We know that our student-athletes really enjoy competing for a national audience, and we expect this year’s lineup of nationally televised games to produce a series of exciting games showcasing the quality and competitiveness of NCAA Division II football,” said Frank Condino, chair of the Division II Football Committee and athletics director at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During the nine years of DII’s partnership with CBS Sports Network, more than 40 percent of the division’s football-playing member schools have appeared in nationally televised games. This will be the first nationally televised Division II Football Game of the Week in program history for each of the seven schools hosting. In total, national telecasts have originated from 42 DII campuses. “This year, schools from eight different conferences will be represented on national television, with several schools making their first nationally televised appearances,” said Terri Steeb Gronau, vice president of Division II. “These games on national television afford us another opportunity to demonstrate what is special about Division II schools and student-athletes. We look forward to showcasing tremendous student-athletes as they succeed on the field, in the classroom and in life.” In the Columbia area, CBS Sports Network is carried on Benedict College cable, AT&T U-Verse; Time Warner; as well as DIRECTV and Dish Network. Check your local listings for channel availability. The games will also be streamed live on www.ncaa.com.