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We now have an idea of what the fall schedule will look like for the Hampden-Sydney football team. First-year head coach Vince Luvara released the information on Monday, including seven Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) games and five at home. Of course, the one thing that doesn’t change is the ending. This upcoming season, like those before, will end with “The Game” against archrival Randolph-Macon College. This will mark the 129th meeting of the two squads.  

“We are looking forward to a challenging non-conference schedule that will prepare us to play a tough ODAC schedule,” said Luvara. “Our focus is on going 1-0 each week.”

The Tigers finished last season at 6-4 overall, 4-3 in the ODAC, to finish fourth among eight teams.

Getting started

This year’s team will open the campaign at home against Delaware Valley (PA) University on Saturday, Sept. 7. That’ll begin at 1 p.m. on Fulton Field. 

This will become the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Aggies finished 2023 at 9-2 overall, 9-0 in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. DVU has won six-straight MAC Championships, including a 53-game MAC win-streak, and has made six consecutive NCAA Playoff appearances.

The Tigers go on the road in week two at non-conference opponent Brevard (NC) College on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. in Brevard, North Carolina. The Tornados finished 2023 at 5-5 overall, 5-2 in the USA South Athletic Conference, including a 31-17 road loss at H-SC last Sept. 9.

H-SC returns home in week three for Hall of Fame Weekend and a ‘designated non-conference’ game against Bridgewater College on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. at Everett Stadium. The Eagles finished 2023 at 7-4 overall, 5-2 in the ODAC, including a 39-38 road win against the Tigers last Sept. 30. The College will induct the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 the night before (Sept. 20), and the special group of inductees will also be recognized at halftime.

The Tigers will enjoy their bye in week four (Sept. 28), as week five begins the first of seven-straight ODAC games-starting at home against Guilford (NC) College during Family Weekend on Saturday, October 5, at 1 p.m. at Everett Stadium. The Quakers finished 2023 at 2-8 overall, 0-7 in the ODAC, including a 42-21 home loss to H-SC last Oct. 28.

Back half of the schedule

The Hampden-Sydney football team is back on the road in week six at Washington and Lee University on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. in Lexington. The Generals finished 2023 at 8-3 overall, 6-1 in the ODAC, including a 21-17 road win against the Tigers last Oct. 21.

The Garnet & Grey remain on the road in week seven at Ferrum College on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. in Ferrum. The Panthers finished 2023 at 3-7 overall, 1-6 in the ODAC, including a 48-10 road loss at H-SC last Oct. 7.

The Tigers return home in week eight during Homecoming Weekend against Averett University on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. at Everett Stadium. The Cougars finished 2023 at 5-5 overall, 2-5 in the ODAC, including a 31-28 home loss to H-SC last Oct. 14.

H-SC is back on the road in week nine at Bridgewater in conference action on Saturday, November 2, at 2 p.m. in Bridgewater. Again, the Eagles finished 2023 at 7-4 overall, 5-2 in the ODAC.

The Tigers remain on the road in week 10 at Shenandoah University on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. in Winchester. The Hornets finished 2023 at 5-5 overall, 3-4 in the ODAC, including a 26-25 overtime road loss at H-SC last Nov. 4.

Hampden-Sydney football wraps with ‘The Game’

H-SC returns home in week 11 to complete the regular season against archrival Randolph-Macon in the 129th Edition of “The Game” on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m.-also Senior Day at Everett Stadium. The two-time defending conference champion Yellow Jackets finished 2023 at 13-1 overall, 7-0 in the ODAC, including a 49-10 home win against the Tigers last Nov. 11.

RMC advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Playoffs last fall. H-SC continues to lead the all-time series against the Yellow Jackets, 60-57-11; however, RMC has won 10-straight and 12 of the last 13 games played between the two storied programs in a contest that is considered the Oldest Small School Rivalry in the South. The Garnet & Grey’s last win in the series was in 2013, a 28-26 road win in Ashland.