The Big South Conference announced today its revised football conference schedule for the spring season to accommodate previous postponements due to COVID concerns.  Games involving Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Monmouth, and Robert Morris have been adjusted, and the season will now end on Saturday, April 17.  Below is the updated conference schedule, and future schedule adjustments may be announced at any time.

Saturday, March 27 (no change)

Charleston Southern at Monmouth

Kennesaw State at Gardner-Webb

Saturday, April 3

Monmouth at Gardner-Webb

Robert Morris at Kennesaw State (no change)

Saturday, April 10

Robert Morris at Charleston Southern

Kennesaw State at Monmouth (no change)

Saturday, April 17

Gardner-Webb at Charleston Southern

Monmouth at Robert Morris

TBD

Gardner-Webb at Robert Morris

Future schedule adjustments may be announced at any time

NORFOLK, VA (MEACSports.com) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic
Conference released its spring 2021 football schedule on Monday, a slate of
games which reflect unique divisional scheduling due to some members opting out
of playing in the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference’s spring football regular season will kick
off on Feb. 20, 2021 and will conclude on April 3. An inaugural championship
game will take place on April 17, the winner advancing to the NCAA Football
Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs a week later.

With Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M both meeting the
conference’s Nov. 16 opt-out deadline to not compete in spring football, the
field of teams playing football in the spring was narrowed to seven teams –
Delaware State, Howard, Morgan State and Norfolk State, which will comprise the
MEAC’s Northern Division, and North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina
Central and South Carolina State, which will compete in the Southern Division.

The new schedule approved by the MEAC’s athletics directors
calls for the Northern Division teams to play four conference games within the
division, including each institution playing one opponent twice. In the
Southern Division, each of the three members will play each other twice, for a
total of four games.

Teams from both divisions have open dates where they may
choose to play non-conference games.

The Northern and Southern Division teams with the best
records will square off for the MEAC championship on the campus of the team
with the best conference record on April 17.

Spring 2021 MEAC Football Schedule

Saturday, February 20

Delaware State at Morgan State*

NC Central at SC State*

Norfolk State at Howard*

Saturday, February 27

SC State at North Carolina A&T*

Saturday, March 6

Howard at Delaware State*

NC Central at North Carolina A&T*

Norfolk State at Morgan State*

Saturday, March 20

Delaware State at Norfolk State*

Morgan State at Howard*

SC State at NC Central*

Saturday, March 27

North Carolina A&T at SC State*

Saturday, April 3

Howard at Norfolk State*

Morgan State at Delaware State*

North Carolina A&T at NC Central*

Saturday, April 10

Delaware at Delaware State

Saturday, April 17

MEAC Championship

*denotes conference game

CHARLOTTE (www.BigSouthSports.com) – The Big South Conference today announced its 2021 spring football schedule will feature five teams playing a four-game conference slate to determine the Big South’s automatic qualifier to the FCS Playoffs.  The five teams competing will be Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Kennesaw State, Monmouth and Robert Morris.  Big South football members Campbell, North Alabama and Hampton will not compete during the spring season.

Robert Morris, which was added as an associate member on June 15 and was scheduled to begin play in the Big South in the fall of 2021, will instead be an official conference opponent in the upcoming spring campaign and will be eligible for the Big South championship and automatic berth to the postseason.

League play features two games a week starting Saturday, March 13 with defending Big South champion Monmouth at newcomer and former conference rival Robert Morris, while Charleston Southern will visit Kennesaw State.  Gardner-Webb will open its Big South season Saturday, March 20 at home against Monmouth.  The regular-season is currently scheduled to end Saturday, April 10 with GWU at RMU and KSU and MU.

Contingencies were built into the schedule to allow flexibility for completing the conference season in full, and the week of April 11-17 has been left open to allow any games impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to be made up.  Big South members are also permitted to play up to four (4) non-conference games during the spring.

Below is the 2021 composite league schedule, which is subject to change and other adjustments.

2021 Big South Football Conference Spring Schedule

Saturday, March 13

Charleston Southern at Kennesaw State

Monmouth at Robert Morris

Saturday, March 20

Robert Morris at Charleston Southern

Monmouth at Gardner-Webb

Saturday, March 27

Charleston Southern at Monmouth

Kennesaw State at Gardner-Webb

Saturday, April 3

Gardner-Webb at Charleston Southern

Robert Morris at Kennesaw State

Saturday, April 10

Gardner-Webb at Robert Morris

Kennesaw State at Monmouth

Charlotte announced today the football game scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, against North Carolina has been canceled. The decision was made due to the impact that contact tracing quarantine has had on a key position group. Several members of the offensive line were placed into quarantine following the University’s COVID-19 contact tracing protocols, effectively depleting that unit.

Over the past two weeks, there have been three positive cases of coronavirus in football student-athletes found through regular testing required by Conference USA. The individuals are in isolation receiving proper medical care, and all other affected individuals were notified to quarantine for 14 days by University contact tracers.

"We're extremely disappointed to have to cancel our game at North Carolina. While I know our team is heartbroken, due to the number of players in quarantine, we could not safely play,” said Athletic Director Mike Hill. “We very much appreciate the University of North Carolina having scheduled this game with us. Unfortunately, we do not currently share any common open dates to reschedule."

As of Monday, Sept. 14, a total of 3,150 tests have been administered for our student-athletes, coaches and staff since June 10.  A total of 20 positive cases have been reported. On Monday, 200 tests were administered with one positive.

This announcement does not impact the status of the home opener versus Georgia State scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26.

After previously losing all four of their originally scheduled 2020 nonconference opponents – Morgan State, Wisconsin, Wake Forest and Massachusetts – the Mountaineers added a Sept. 12 home game against Charlotte on Wednesday before scheduling the Campbell addition. Per the Sun Belt Conference’s Aug. 4 decision to allow each league school to play up to four nonconference games in addition to the eight-game league slate, Appalachian State can still add up to two more games to its fall schedule.

“We are pleased to add another home game against an in-state school to the 2020 schedule,” App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin said. “We continue to follow guidance from health officials, university leadership and the Sun Belt Conference to provide the safest environment for the return of sports on our campus. We hope to safely welcome App State students, season ticket holders and visiting teams to Kidd Brewer Stadium this fall, following the latest public health protocols.”

The Big South announced Wednesday that it is delaying its fall sport seasons (with the intent of playing in the spring), but its institutions may play up to four nonconference football games in the fall. The game is the second date on the Camels revised 2020 football schedule, joining the previously announced contest at Georgia Southern, another Sun Belt team, on September 12. 

App State and Campbell have played twice before, both in Boone. The Mountaineers won 20-6 in 1931 and 66-0 in 2014.

Commissioner Que Tucker Statement on amended 2020-2021 Sport Calendar

“You all have been waiting patiently for a decision from the NCHSAA relative to an amended sport calendar for the 2020-2021 academic year. Please keep in mind that these proposed dates are dependent on COVID-19 conditions improving across NC. However, last night the Board of Directors approved a framework we believe maximizes the opportunities for students in our membership to participate in athletics at some point during this school year, regardless of what plan is a school and/or school system operates.

The NCHSAA Board approved an amended calendar for the 2020-2021 school year in a special called meeting for this purpose on Tuesday, August 11 via Zoom. This calendar represents the hard work of the NCHSAA Staff, Board of Directors and various committees such as the City/County Athletic Directors, Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and the Sports Ad Hoc Committee. There is still much work to be done on the details of implementing athletic programs and contests during this pandemic, but we thank these committees and individuals for their hard work to bring us to this point.

We recognize that this is a lot of information to digest and drastically different from the way the sport calendar has been aligned for years in North Carolina. However, as we mentioned many weeks ago, “We will play again.” In that mantra we believe, and it is in that spirit that we present this calendar. It is the belief of the Board of Directors and our staff that this calendar provides us the greatest chance of providing interscholastic athletic opportunities to the students of the NCHSAA for the 2020-2021 academic year. We believe that this is the best path forward to a safe return to the field.

Our decision-making process has been careful and calculated, as we work to ensure the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches and administrators during this unprecedented time. There is still much work to be done in regard to playoff formats, COVID-19 related rules modifications for numerous sports, securing potential playoff facilities and providing the safest possible regular season opportunities for student athletes. We are committed to that work and will continue to lead and govern interscholastic athletic programs across this state that support and enrich the educational experience provided by our member schools in such a manner to maintain the standards of excellence that the NCHSAA has become known for.

Dr. Josh Bloom Statement on 2020-2021 Sport Calendar on behalf of NCHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC)

“We feel it is critically important to provide opportunities for North Carolina student athletes to participate, and compete, in education-based athletics.  While there are risks with resuming NCHSAA sanctioned athletics, it has also become very clear that there are significant negative consequences with not providing this option to student athletes.  Accordingly, this is an exercise in balance – and we are committed to an appropriate balance of both safety AND participation. 

Our student athletes rely on the leadership and guidance of their coaches and mentors, the structure and discipline inherent in sports, and the camaraderie, joy, and excitement inherent in training and competing with their friends and teammates. For many young people, the void left without sports is filled with anxiety, depression, and despair.  While the consequences of not participating may be more difficult to quantify than the risks of COVID 19 infection, we recognize these consequences of NOT participating are real and they are grave.  With this in mind, we feel it is crucial to provide some good news and a plan for NCHSAA member schools to resume athletics.  Accordingly, and with guidance from the CDC, the NC DHHS, and from our SMAC, we look forward to providing a path to participation in the 2020-2021 academic year.”

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CHARLOTTE – With the health and well-being of its student-athletes as its top priority, the Big South Conference announced today it is delaying its fall sports seasons with the intent of playing in the spring. This includes the sports of men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball. Additionally, fall competitions in the sports of men’s and women’s golf and men’s and women’s tennis, and out of season competitions in spring sports have been suspended as well.  The Big South Football Members voted to allow up to four non-conference games in the fall at institutional discretion.

“We are all broken-hearted that we will not be able to provide competitive opportunities for Big South student-athletes this fall,” commented Commissioner Kyle Kallander.  “However, the path forward must protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, and some of the current trends and unknowns with COVID-19 have made that a huge challenge.  Our intention is to shift these fall seasons to the spring as we would like nothing more than to crown Big South champions in all 19 of our sports this year.”

Big South member institutions may continue with permissible athletics activities, as defined by NCAA regulations and with the exception of fall sport competition, at their own discretion and in accordance with applicable local and state regulations and procedures.

The Charlotte 49ers and Appalachian State will meet for the third straight season after the two schools agreed to a game at Appalachian State, Sept. 12, in what is now the 49ers’ 2020 season-opener.

The schools decided to play the game in Boone due to the larger seating capacity at Kidd Brewer Stadium in a year in which attendance may be limited due to the pandemic.

The Mountaineers recently lost all four of their originally scheduled 2020 non-conference opponents, which were Morgan State, Wisconsin, Wake Forest, and Massachusetts.

“This game has been our number one scheduling priority,” said 49ers Director of Athletics Mike Hill. “We have tremendous respect for App State’s football program and look forward to another great game against them. Without a doubt, we have our most exciting non-conference schedule in history.”

“I would like to thank Mike Hill and his team for working with us to get this scheduled in what is a very fluid situation for all of us,” App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin said. “This matchup makes sense for both schools. The safety, health, and well-being of our student-athletes remains our priority, and we continue to follow guidance from health officials, university leadership, and the Sun Belt Conference to provide the safest environment for the return of sports on our campus. We hope to safely welcome App State students, season ticket holders, and visiting teams to Kidd Brewer Stadium this fall, following the latest public health protocols.”

Last week, Charlotte confirmed a pair of ACC games would be part of the 2020 non-conference schedule. The 49ers’ originally scheduled road game at Duke remained on the schedule but was moved to Oct. 31. A road game at 19th-ranked North Carolina, Sept. 19, was added as well, as the two ACC schools identified their one non-conference opponent. Appalachian State and Duke are both receiving votes in the Amway Coaches Poll presented by USA Today. Charlotte will also host Georgia State, Sept. 26, in non-conference play.

“We know the history of that program and what kind of team they have coming back,” said 49ers head coach Will Healy. “Shawn Clark is a really, really good person and he does a great job. I know he’s going to keep them rolling.”

“We look forward to playing Charlotte on September 12,” App State head coach Shawn Clark said. “Our team wants to play. Our medical staff, coaching staff, and administration have been working tirelessly to implement protocols that provide a safe environment for our players, and we will continue to put their health and safety first as we prepare for the 2020 season.”

The move gives Charlotte its 11th game of the season, despite the loss of three previously scheduled games. Charlotte’s season-opener at Tennessee and its home-opener vs. Norfolk State were both been canceled due to respective conference decisions surrounding the pandemic. Conference USA foe Old Dominion recently announced the cancellation of their fall season, removing that league game from the 2020 slate. 

“I really appreciate Mike and our athletic department for their work to adapt and set up this schedule,” added Healy. “It’s definitely going to challenge us, but it’s also something that should be really fun and memorable for our fans and team.

As part of the agreement, Charlotte will host App State in 2030. Charlotte and Appalachian State already had a four-game series from 2026 to 2029 on the schedule for upcoming campaigns, so the two teams will be set to play in five straight seasons, beginning in 2026. 

The Mountaineers defeated the 49ers in their first two meetings – 45-9 in Charlotte in 2018 and 56-41 in Boone last year.

• The season’s first games will take place the week of Sept. 7-12


• The 2020 scheduling model includes 11 games (10 plus one: 10 conference and one non-conference)


• All non-conference game opponents, selected by the respective school, must be played in the home state of the ACC institution, and all non-conference opponents must meet the medical protocol requirements as agreed upon by the ACC


• The 11 games will be played over at least 13 weeks with each team having two open dates


• There will be one division


• Notre Dame will also play a 10-game conference schedule and be eligible to compete in the 2020 ACC Football Championship Game 


• All television revenue for the 2020 season, including Notre Dame’s home games broadcast by NBC, will be shared equally by all 15 institutions 


• The ACC Football Championship Game will be played on either December 12 or 19 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will feature the top two teams based upon highest conference-game winning percentage 


• All 15 teams will continue to be part of the ACC’s bowl selection process; should Notre Dame win the ACC Football Championship Game they would be eligible for the Orange Bowl, if not selected as a College Football Playoff semifinal team 


• The 2020 ACC Football week-by-week schedule and television selections will be released in the future