BAY CITY, Mich. - The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced its 2010 composite football schedule. The 2010 NCAA Division II football season kicks off on the weekend of Sept. 2-4.
Click here for schedule on GLIAC web site
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The opening weekend slate features 10 non-conference contests, highlighted by a clash of D-II powers in Allendale, Michigan on Thursday, Sept. 2. The CBS College Sports Division II "Game of the Week" pits West Texas A & M against Grand Valley State University at Lubbers Stadium in a nationally-televised 8:00 p.m. contest.
The Lakers, who made a run to the D-II Championship game last season, recorded a 37-23 win at West Texas, in last season's opening game.
The 2010 conference schedule will feature the two newest members of the GLIAC, Lake Erie College and Ohio Dominican University, both of which open league play on Saturday, Sept. 11. Lake Erie will host Michigan Technological University in its inaugural GLIAC game, while ODU hosts Northwood University in its first-ever GLIAC contest.
GVSU's tough early season schedule continues on Saturday, Sept. 11 when Hillsdale College visits Allendale (Mich.). The Chargers, 2009 D-II playoff participants, were the only team to defeat the Lakers during the 2009 regular season, recording 27-24 win in Hillsdale. Grand Valley State exacted some revenge with a 44-27 win over the chargers in the second round of the 2009 playoffs.
The GLIAC schedule for Saturday, Oct. 2 also features a matchup of 2009 D-II playoff teams when Saginaw Valley State University travels to Hillsdale for a 1:00 p.m. game. The Cardinals and Chargers renew their rivalry after a two-year hiatus in 2008 and 2009.
The GLIAC regular season schedule wraps up on Saturday, Nov. 13. That day's slate of games includes the "Battle of the Valleys" when Grand Valley State invades University Center, Michigan for a clash with Saginaw Valley State.
The first round of the NCAA Playoffs begins on Saturday, Nov. 20, with the NCAA Division II Football championship game being held on Saturday, Dec. 18 at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.