Dolphins football schedule for 2008 is set

Dolphins football schedule for 2008 is set

According to JU head football coach Kerwin Bell, the only way you can get better is by playing better competition.

That will be the case in 2008 as the Dolphins will face a difficult schedule, highlighted by a road trip to face three-time defending national Appalachian State.

"This is a tough schedule, but it will give our kids some great experiences and will help us as we build our program," Bell said. "I want our kids to face a tough non-conference schedule to get us ready for conference play. Our goal every year is to win a championship. We want our kids to face good teams that will prepare them for our league, which is full of very good teams."

The biggest non-conference game in school history is set for September 8 as the Dolphins will travel to face three-time defending Football Championship Subdivision champion Appalachian State.

JU's battle against Appalachian State will continue garnering the Dolphins exposure and will give the Dolphins a top 25 ranked opponent for the third straight season.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Appalachian State program and what they have accomplished," said JU director of athletics Alan Verlander. "This is the most competitive schedule we have ever put together and it excites me to get the fall kicked-off."

The 2008 schedule features five home games, including a new opponent in the Pioneer Football League - Campbell. The Camels will serve as the home opener at D.B. Milne Field on September 13, which will also double as Homecoming.

The Dolphins also have plans for a Thursday night home game against Webber International. It will be just the second home night game in school history; the first was in 2005 as JU played in front of the second-largest crowd in school history.

JU will host Dayton, Drake and San Diego in Pioneer Football League play, with road games at Butler, Valaparaiso, Davidson and Morehead State.

The schedule opens with a road trip to Savannah State on Aug. 30 with a return game to UNC-Pembroke set for September 20.

Aug. 30 at Savannah State 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 at #1 Appalachian State 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 * CAMPBELL 1 p.m.
Sept. 20 at UNC-Pembroke TBA
Sept. 27 * at Davidson TBA
Oct. 9 WEBBER INTERNATIONAL (Homecoming) 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 * at Morehead State 1 p.m.
Oct. 25 * SAN DIEGO (Parent's Weekend) 1 p.m.
Nov. 1 * at Butler 1 p.m. (CST)
Nov. 8 * at Valparaiso 1 p.m. (CST)
Nov. 15 * DRAKE Noon
Nov. 22 * DAYTON Noon