BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College Football program has announced its schedule for the upcoming 2023 season of play. The slate features five home contests – including two kickoff times at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Ives-Lemel Family Field – three non-conference matchups and seven games within USA South Conference play.
"Brevard will start the 2023 season facing two new opponents: the NAIA squad of Florida's Warner University and the Division III Virginia powerhouse Hampton-Sydney," commented Head Coach Bill Khayat, who will enter his seventh season at the helm of Brevard College Football. "In a repeat of last year, we will once again meet a familiar foe in our former conference rival Averett. Conference play will follow as we continue to build not only on our record of finishing strong but also on a commitment of starting strong, featuring a roster of talented returnees and promising newcomers, who are laser-focused on the goal of winning the USA South."
The 2023 season begins on Saturday, September 2 at 1 p.m. as the Tornados match up with the NAIA's Warner out of Lake Wales, Florida for the first time in program history at Ives-Lemel Family Field. The Royals finished last season 1-9 and are a member of the Sun Conference. The contest will mark Brevard's annual Hometown Heroes contest.
Brevard will travel to Hampden Sydney, Virginia the following week to match up with NCAA DIII opponent Hampden-Sydney College on Saturday, September 9 at 1 p.m. at Lewis C. Everett Stadium. The matchup will mark a first-time meeting between the Tigers and Tornados, as HSC – an Old Dominion Athletic Conference member institution - went 5-5 last season including a 4-3 conference mark.
The Tornados return home the following weekend to take on former USA South foe-turned-ODAC member Averett University on Saturday, September 16 for a 6 p.m. kickoff time under the lights at Ives-Lemel Family Field. In six meetings all-time vs. the Cougars, the Tornados hold a 3-3 record. Fans will be encouraged to wear black as part of a "Blackout" promotion alongside Family Weekend festivities.
Homecoming 2023 also signals the beginning of USA South play for the Tornados, as BC football highlights Homecoming weekend on Saturday, September 23 at 5 p.m. against Maryville College. Brevard will look for a repeat performance against the Scots similar to last season's 24-21 victory on the road in Maryville, Tennessee.
Brevard returns to the road on Saturday, September 30 as the Tornados travel to Greensboro, North Carolina to take on Greensboro College in a 2 p.m. kickoff time. Brevard will look to improve on its undefeated record all-time against the Pride.
October begins with a home contest for the Tornados, as Brevard takes on Southern Virginia University at home on Saturday, October 7 at 1 p.m. Fans will be encouraged to wear white for a "Whiteout" promotion alongside of BC's annual Youth Day game. Brevard will look to replicate its recent success against the Knights since SVU has joined the USA South, as the Tornados are 2-0 against SVU since they moved into the conference.
The Tornados then hit the road for a Saturday, October 14 showdown in Fayetteville, North Carolina against Methodist University beginning at 1 p.m. BC will attempt to duplicate its effort in last year's thrilling 22-20 win over the Monarchs on Homecoming in Brevard.
Following the bye week, the Tornados close out October with a trip to LaGrange, Georgia to take on LaGrange College on Saturday, October 28 at 3 p.m. – a squad Brevard handled at home a season ago 24-10.
Senior Day will be on Saturday, November 4 against defending USA South champion Huntingdon College at 1 p.m. before the Tornados finish the 2023 regular season with a lengthy road trip to Jackson, Mississippi to take on Belhaven University at 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT. BC will look to avenge its only two losses in conference action last season against the Hawks and Blazers.
The Tornados finished 2022 with five conference wins as BC has garnered a winning record in conference action for four consecutive seasons. In the last four years, BC has a 23-12 overall record and an 18-7 mark in USA South play.
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-BC-