Miles Golden Bears Releases 2015 Football Schedule

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- When Miles football coach Reginald Ruffin took a look at his completed football schedule for 2015, he gave a quick thought to the possibility that he may have signed his Golden Bears up for the toughest slate in Division II.

This year's schedule features the return of the Labor Day Golden Classic, the season opener against North Alabama at Legion Field on Sept. 6, and an appearance in the Turkey Day Classic - the oldest Classic in the land - against Football Championship Subdivision opponent Alabama State to close the season on Nov. 21. In between, contests at West Georgia on Sept. 13 and at home against West Alabama on Sept. 20, as well as a road trip to defending SIAC champion Tuskegee on Nov. 7 sets the Golden Bears up for a demanding run.

"We have the whole summer to cry about it but when August comes, we'll be ready to play it," Ruffin said. "UNA went to the (Division II) quarterfinals last year. West Georgia went to the semifinals. UWA was in the playoffs back in 2013, and when you get into conference play, it doesn't get any easier."

Overall, the 2015 schedule has 11 games and features five games at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium and one at Legion Field. The Golden Bears make just two trips out of the state of Alabama - at West Georgia and at Central State in Ohio on Oct. 10. Homecoming is on Oct. 17 when Miles hosts Kentucky State and the final home game of the season is a Thursday night matchup with Lane on Oct. 22.

If the Golden Bears win the West Division, they will qualify for the SIAC Championship game on Nov. 14 at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. Title game ot not, Miles will still make a trip to the state capitol when it takes on Alabama State in the 92nd Turkey Day Classic. Ruffin said his team will be plenty prepared to take on the Division I FCS Hornets.

"We don't back down from any competition. Any opponent you have, you give them all that you can," Ruffin said. "They'll be a well-coached team with coach (Brian) Jenkins so it'll be a great measuring stick for our program."

By playing in the Turkey Day Classic, Miles will forego its eligibility for the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2015. But Ruffin does not believe that is a negative for the Golden Bears.

"We have been ranked in the (South) region the last couple of years but we chose to go to the Turkey Day Classic. Sometimes, the deck is stacked against you (in the playoffs). You don't have a chance to get the seed you want. Our teams tend to get a one-and-done," Ruffin said. "The magnitude of playing ASU, the history of the Turkey Day Classic, with them play schools from our conference like Tuskegee and Stillman, it was an opportunity we did not want to pass up."

Click here to view the Miles 2015 Football Schedule.

Date Opponent Location Time

9/6/2015 University of North Alabama Birmingham, AL 6 p.m. Labor Day Golden Classic
9/12/2015 University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA 6 p.m.
9/19/2015 University of West Alabama Fairfield, AL 4 p.m. 
9/26/2015 Morehouse CollegeFairfield, AL, 4 p.m.
10/3/2015 Albany State University Fairfield, AL 4 p.m.
10/10/2015 Central State University Wilberforce, OH 12 p.m.
10/17/2015 * Kentucky State University Fairfield, AL 4 p.m. HOMECOMING
10/22/2015 * Lane College Fairfield, AL 6 p.m.
10/31/2015 * Stillman College Tuscaloosa, AL 5:30 p.m.
11/7/2015 * Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL 1 p.m.
11/21/2015 Alabama State University Montgomery, AL TBA Turkey Day Classic

11/14/2015 TBA Montgomery, AL TBA SIAC Championship



COURTESY MILES COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION