Albany State releases 2017 football schedule

ALBANY — The Albany State University Rams unveiled their football schedule for the 2017 season, ASU Director of Athletics Sherie C. Gordon announced on Friday.

Highlighting the 10-game slate are games with familiar non-conference opponents, six SIAC conference games, two classics and a first-ever meeting with an NAIA institution.

“We have a very competitive schedule which provides alumni, fans and supporters more opportunities to watch exciting football in our great stadium,” Gordon said.

The Rams, who finished their 2016 season at 5-4, will kick off the season on Sept. 2 in Albany against Valdosta State. The Blazers, a member of the Gulf South Conference, went 8-3 and made the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs last season. Last year, ASU lost to the VSU 16-7 in Valdosta.

Albany State will open SIAC play and continue a rivalry when it faces Tuskegee on Sept. 9 in the fourth Annual White Water Classic in Phenix City, Alabama. Tuskegee made an appearance in the 2016 NCAA Division II second round and finished last year with a 9-3 overall record. The Tigers defeated the Rams 28-18 in last season’s classic. The Tuskegee game is the first of two SIAC West Division crossover games.

Albany State returns to action on Sept. 16 against North Greenville in Albany. The Crusaders’ program is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association. NGU finished with a 9-5 overall record last season and lost in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

ASU will have another road game on Sept. 23 when they travel to Carrollton to face the University of West Georgia. The Gulf South member registered a 7-4 record last year.

On Sept. 30, the Rams will visit Miles College. Albany State defeated the SIAC West Division opponent 35-33 in last year’s regular-season meeting in Albany.

Albany State will host University of Lincoln-Missouri for the first time in program history. The Tigers compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in NCAA Division II and finished with a 1-10 overall record last year. ULM is now coached by former ASU offensive coordinator Steve Smith.

The Rams will take on four SIAC East Division opponents beginning Oct. 14. They will battle with Morehouse College as part of ASU’s annual homecoming celebration. Albany State defeated Morehouse 26-21 in the 2016 contest. The Maroon Tigers were 3-7 last season.

Albany State will then journey to Atlanta to take on the Clark Atlanta University on Oct. 21 before returning home on Oct. 28 to play host to Benedict.

The Rams’ regular-season finale will be against arch-rival Fort Valley State in the 28th Annual Fountain City Classic on November 4 at the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus. The Wildcats defeated the Rams 21-17 in the 2016 classic game.

The winners of the SIAC East and West divisions will play for the 2017 SIAC Championship game on November 11.