Custom Search DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Bethune-Cookman University has officially released its 2020 football schedule that features five home games, seven games within the state of Florida, and two first-time opponents.
"Priority one is an attractive yet challenging schedule for our program and fans. Priority two is for our fans to have the convenience to follow us in person, so a five-game home schedule and the affordability of seven games in state was negotiated with those goals in mind. We want and need the support of our fans," said Lynn W. Thompson, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics.
Kicking off the season against first-time opponent University of South Florida Bulls will also serve as BCU's first appearance in Tampa since the Florida Classic moved from Tampa Stadium to Orlando in 1997. Another first-time opponent on the Wildcats' schedule will appear on Halloween when BCU plays host to the Texans of Tarleton State University on October 31st. The Texans, 11-1 in 2019, were champions of the Division II Lone Star Conference and have transitioned to Division I FCS for 2020.
To round out the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Wildcats travel to Pine Bluff, Arkansas to renew a rivalry with a Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent, the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions, on September 19th. The Golden Lions were the 2019 turnaround team in the SWAC with a record of 6-5.
BCU Head Football Coach Terry Sims is also very excited about this challenging schedule.
"The first ever chance to line up against USF in Tampa will be an exciting way to kickoff our season, and to host one of the nation's toughest former Division II powerhouses in Tarleton State as they transition to Division I will also be a great challenge." Sims said.
Sims, who just concluded his fifth season as the Head Wildcat, is also excited about five home games in Daytona Beach.
"It's a task for us to get non-conference Division I teams to come to Daytona Beach, so to actually have five games in Daytona Beach, and seven in the state of Florida should be a real treat for our fans and a great opportunity for our team,' said Sims.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY 2020 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Opponent | Location |
| Sept. 5 | Open | |
| Sept. 12 | at USF | Tampa, Fla. |
| Sept. 19 | at University of Arkansas Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, Ark. |
| Sept. 26 | Howard (Greek Letter/Community Service Org. Day) | Home |
| Oct. 3 | at Morgan State | Baltimore, Md. |
| Oct 10 | North Carolina Central "Homecoming 2020" | Home |
| Oct 17 | at Norfolk State | Norfolk, Va |
| Oct 24 | at South Carolina State | Orangeburg, SC |
| Oct 31 | Tarleton State | Home |
| Nov 7 | Delaware State | Home |
| Nov 14 | North Carolina A&T "Senior Day" | Home |
| Nov 21 | at Florida A&M "Florida Blue Florida Classic" | Orlando, Fla. |
All Home Games -Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida