Campbell unveils 2013 football schedule
Andrew Giermak | The Sanford Herald Running back Dalton Dillon carries for Campbell against Shorter in CU's first-ever home night football game this past August. The Fighting Camels, under new head coach Mike Minter, will open their 2013 schedule on Aug. 31 at Charlotte.
Six home contests plus trips to nearby Charlotte and Davidson highlight Campbell’s 11-game 2013 football schedule.
The Camels will again play an eight-game Pioneer Football League slate, splitting four home and four away.
“First of all, I’m excited to coach this team,” said first-year Campbell head coach Mike Minter. “We have a great schedule in front of us and I can’t wait to run through that tunnel in Charlotte on Aug. 31.”
Campbell kicks off the season at UNC Charlotte on Aug. 31 for Charlotte's first-ever football game. The 49ers will play as an FCS independent program for two seasons before joining Conference USA in 2015.
“I’ve been in Charlotte for 15 years with my playing career, and I helped UNC Charlotte get its football program started,” said Minter. “I was one of their football ambassadors. To play them in their first game is great. I’m excited about it.”
The Camels will host Virginia-Wise in their 2013 home opener, playing the Highland Cavaliers for the third time in four seasons. CU beat UVa.-Wise 10-0 last season in Buies Creek.
Charleston Southern will round out the Camels’ nonconference schedule on Sept. 14 in Buies Creek. The game will be the Camels’ first in the modern era against the Buccaneers or a Big South Conference member. CSU was 5-6 overall in 2012.
“Charleston Southern will be a great game for us, coming from the Big South Conference,” said Minter. “That game will be a really good indicator of where we are as a football program.”
After an open week, Campbell dives into PFL play, opening on the road at Valparaiso on Sept. 28, while hosting its first conference game of the year on Oct. 5 with Morehead State. Campbell also hosts Jacksonville on Oct. 19, Mercer on Oct. 26 and Marist on Nov. 9 at Barker-Lane Stadium.
Charlotte, Mercer and Stetson are first-year football programs.
“These teams are going to be confident,” Minter added about the Camels’ three first-year opponents. “They’ve been practicing against their teammates for a whole year, and I’m sure they’re all ready to play someone else. It will be interesting to play three first-year programs in the same year, but I do know that they all have good coaching and they will be ready to go.”
Game times will be announced at a later date.
Campbell football
2013 schedule
Aug. 31 - at Charlotte
Sept. 7 - VIRGINIA-WISE
Sept. 14 - CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
Sept. 28 - at Valparaiso
Oct. 5 - MOREHEAD ST.
Oct. 12 - at Butler
Oct. 19 - JACKSONVILLE
Oct. 26 - MERCER
Nov. 2 - at Stetson
Nov. 9 - MARIST
Nov. 16 - at Davidson
- All game times are TBA