Morrisville State College released its 2016 football schedule, featuring four teams who recently received votes in the D3football.com preseason poll.
The Mustangs kick-off their fourth season under the direction of head coach Curt Fitzpatrick (18-13 overall, three seasons) on the road Friday, September 2nd against Saint Lawrence University. Morrisville State holds the 2-1 advantage over the Saints after posting the 28-20 victory on Drake Field in 2015, with their lone loss in the series taking place on the road in 2014 (31-14).
Following a bye week in week two of the season, Morrisville State will open its home slate against nearby rivals Utica College, in a 7 p.m. kick-off on Drake Field on Back to School Night on Saturday, Sept. 17. The Pioneers will also be the Empire 8 opener for the Mustangs, who finished 4-4 overall in their first season of conference action as an affiliate member. Utica tied the series at 1-1 last fall, rebounding from the loss to Morrisville State in the ECAC North Central Bowl Championship in 2014.
Morrisville State will hit the thruway the following week, Sept. 24, taking on Buffalo State in Buffalo in Empire 8 play. The Mustangs recorded their lone series win over the Bengals in 2015 under direction of Fitzpatrick, and will look to follow suit again in 2016.
The Mustangs will return to Drake Field for “Mustang Weekend” (homecoming) on Saturday, Oct. 1, hosting Alfred University at 1 p.m. on Drake Field. Morrisville State and Alfred met for the first time in the history of the two programs last season, with the Saxons pulling out the conference win for the 1-0 series lead.
Saturday, Sept. 8 will see Morrisville State travel to Fitzpatrick’s alma mater, St. John Fisher, with anticipation of evening the series at one, as the Cardinals pulled out the last second victory over the hosts just a year ago.
Morrisville State returns home to host Hartwick College on Saturday, Oct. 15; before hitting the road for two straight to wrap up the five week October slate. Hartwick holds the 2-5 series lead, with Morrisville State posting victories over the Hawks in each of the last two seasons.
The Mustangs will face Ithaca for just the second time in the history of the two programs Saturday the 22 in Ithaca, before hitting the road against SUNY Cortland on the 29th. The Red Dragons received a 17th overall ranking in the D3football.com preseason poll and for the past two seasons, have suffered losses at the hand of the Mustangs under direction of Fitzpatrick’s high caliber squad.
Morrisville State will wrap up the regular season with two straight home contests in November, the final Empire 8 matchup against Brockport on Saturday, Nov. 5 before meeting non-conference opponent Alfred State on the 12.
St. Lawrence, Alfred University and St. John Fisher also received votes for the D3football.com preseason poll.
For more information on Mustang football, visit the athletic web site at www.morrisvillestateathletics.com.