Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Albany State releases 2013 football schedule

ALBANY, Georgia --The Albany State University Golden Rams have unveiled their football schedule for the 2013 season, ASU Athletics Director Richard H. Williams and head coach Mike White announced Monday afternoon.  Highlighting the nine-game slate are two games against non-conference opponents, and a seven SIAC conference games that include matchups against two teams that made appearances in the 2012 NCAA Division II football playoffs.

“Albany State has generated a challenging schedule that will provide a lot of excitement during the 2013 season," said Williams. "Our Golden Rams are making great preparations, and they are ready to deliver some solid football action this season.”

The Golden Rams, who finished their 2012 season at 6-4, will kick off the season on September 7th on the road against the North Greenville University Crusaders.  North Greenville, an affiliate with the South Atlantic Conference, went 5-6 last season. ASU beat the Crusaders in the 2012 season opener 24-12.

Albany State will open SIAC play and renew a rivalry when they face the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers on September 14th.  Tuskegee, the defending SIAC champions, finished 2012 with a 10-2 overall record.  The Tuskegee game is the first of three West Division crossover games. The location and time for this contest will be determined at a later date.

Week three of ASU's schedule will have the Golden Rams at home. The Golden Rams will face CIAA foe Elizabeth City State University in their second-ever meeting on September 21st. The Vikings finished the 2012 season at 8-4, including a 13-12 win over ASU and 28-13 victory of Tuskegee in the Pioneer Bowl.

Albany State will travel to Birmingham, Alabama on September 22nd and take on the Miles College Golden Bears, who finished the 2012 season at 8-3. The Golden Bears, a member of the SIAC West Division, defeated the Golden Rams 41-6 in regular-season play.

After an open date on October 5th, another long road trip is scheduled for October 12th, as the Golden Rams travel to Jackson, Tennessee to face the Lane College Dragons. Albany State defeated the SIAC West Division opponent 36-14 in last season’s Music City Classic held in Macon, Georgia.  The Dragons finished the 2012 season with a 5-5 record.

The Golden Rams will face the first of SIAC East Division opponents on Oct. 19th as they face the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College at the Albany State Coliseum. On this day, ASU will also celebrate its’ annual homecoming. Albany State defeated Morehouse 16-13 in the 2012 contest. Albany State will then travel to Atlanta to take on the Clark Atlanta University Panthers on October 26th. ASU beat CAU 36-9 in 2012.

Albany State will return home on November 2nd and face the Benedict College Tigers. ASU Athletics will also honor the senior student-athletes.  The Golden Rams defeated Benedict 24-13 in last year’s Augusta City Classic.

Two of the biggest rivals in the SIAC, Albany State and Fort Valley State University will close their regular seasons in the 24th Annual Fountain City Classic on November 9th at the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Rams 38-20 in the 2012 classic game. The FCC is touted as one of the biggest and best HBCU football classics.

The winners of the East and West divisions will play for the 2013 SIAC championship title on November 16th in Atlanta, Georgia.

2013 Albany State Football Schedule (.pdf)

COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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