2009 Rowan University Football Schedule
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University football team has released its 2009 schedule. The Profs will play a 10 game schedule with four home games and six contests on the road.
The New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) is comprised of 10 teams, so the Profs will play nine conference games. Rowan’s only non-conference contest is the season opener at Lycoming College on Saturday, September 12 at 1:30 p.m. Last year, the Warriors posted a 7-4 record, won the Middle Atlantic Conference and advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
“Our schedule has to be one of the strongest in Division III football,” stated head coach Jay Accorsi. “Our out of conference game this year is against traditional power Lycoming College. Lycoming won the Middle Atlantic Conference last season and participated in the Division III Championship Tournament. With Lycoming and our nine conference games, we have to be playing one of the most difficult schedules in the country.”
Last season, Rowan recorded an 8-2 mark. The Profs have won 16 NJAC Championships and have made 13 appearances in the national tournament. Rowan is ranked sixth and 12th in The Sporting News and Lindy’s Preseason Top 25 Polls respectively.
Rowan faces a tough test in its conference opener at SUNY Cortland on Saturday, September 19 at noon. The Red Dragons are the defending NJAC Champions. Cortland went 11-2 and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, losing to eventual national champion Mount Union College. On Saturday, September 26, Rowan is on the road at William Paterson University for 1 p.m. contest. The Pioneers compiled a 4-6 mark in 2008.
“I strongly believe that our conference will be very strong again this season,” said Accorsi. “Last season was a testament to how good football in the New Jersey Athletic Conference is, with almost half of the teams selected for post-season competition. I expect it to be the same way again for the 2009 season.”
The Profs’ home opener is on Saturday, October 3 against The College at Brockport at noon. In their first season in the NJAC, the Golden Eagles posted a 7-4 record. Rowan has back-to-back road games at Western Connecticut State University (Oct. 10) and Morrisville State College (Oct. 17). The Colonials were 2-8, while the Mustangs went 1-9. On Saturday, October 24, Rowan hosts Buffalo State College for its annual homecoming game at 1:30 p.m. The Bengals finished the 2008 season with a 1-9 record.
“What makes the New Jersey Athletic Conference so competitive is that every team in the league has the ability to win the conference championship,” commented Accorsi. “I know it sounds like a cliché but the reality is that any team can win on any given day. There is not much of a difference between the conference champion and the team found in last place. The physical nature of the style of play by each team distinguishes the conference from others. In order for us to have a successful season here at Rowan University, we need our players to understand the importance of being ready each and every week. At the same time, we need to focus one game at a time and can never look past a single opponent. ”
Rowan’s final away game is at Kean University on Saturday, October 31 at 1 p.m. Last year, the Cougars had a 7-4 mark and played in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Atlantic Bowl. The Profs end the regular season with two straight home games. Rowan hosts Montclair State University on Saturday, November 7 at 1 p.m. and The College of New Jersey on Saturday, November 14 at 1 p.m. The Red Hawks are coming off an 8-3 campaign, in which they made an appearance in the ECAC South Central Bowl. The Lions compiled a 4-6 record.
“The playoff teams from last year (SUNY Cortland, Montclair State, Kean and The College at Brockport) will be strong again this season,” remarked Accorsi. “Western Connecticut State and Buffalo State return two of the better quarterbacks in the league. William Paterson and The College of New Jersey were young last year and will be much improved. Morrisville State will become much more competitive with a year of conference play under its belt.”
“Many of the more experienced returning players from last year’s team realized how close we came to winning the conference and participating in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament,” said Accorsi. “It has fueled them from the very end of last season. I think everyone is anxious to start the 2009 season.”