Saints Football Releases Challenging 2018 Schedule

Coming off one of the most exciting seasons in the program's short history, the Limestone College football team released a challenging 2018 schedule that features seven tough South Atlantic Conference games, two regional powerhouses, and a local Division I FCS opponent.
 
The Saints posted a 4-6 overall record a season ago and wrapped up their first year in the South Atlantic Conference with a 3-4 league mark. Limestone registered three overtime wins, including consecutive home victories over Benedict and Tusculum before rallying from a 17-0 deficit to knock off Newberry.
 
Limestone will play six road games in the 2018 campaign, including three straight to start the season, and is slated to host four contests at "The Reservation" stadium at Gaffney High School.
 
The Saints get the year started with their shortest road trip ever as it makes the 20-minute commute to nearby Boiling Springs, N.C. to face Gardner-Webb University on Saturday, September 1. Limestone, which will face the Runnin' Bulldogs for the first time on the gridiron, is 0-2 all-time against FCS members.
 
The following week, the Blue and Gold will play its first of three NCAA Division II Playoff teams from this past season as it travels to take on the University of West Georgia on September 9 at 2 p.m. The Wolves went 9-4 a year ago and advanced to the second round of the Super Region 2 bracket.
 
Fresh off a wild 30-24 overtime win against Tusculum College in the NCAA Division II Football Showcase on ESPN3 the past season, the Saints will close out their three-game road trip when they visit the Pioneers on Sept. 15. The matchup will be the South Atlantic Conference opener for both teams.
 
Limestone will then play host to the top regional team in the 2017 NCAA playoffs as the University of West Alabama makes the trip to Gaffney. The reigning Gulf South Conference Champions posted a 10-3 overall record last year to earn a first round bye as the top overall seed in Super Region 2.
 
For a second straight season, the Saints will look to start 2-0 in conference play as they welcome Mars Hill University on Saturday, September 29, at 4 p.m. Limestone is then back on the road for two straight games, visiting Carson-Newman University on October 6 and Lenoir-Rhyne University on October 13.
 
The Saints will then close out the year with two of their final three games at The Reservation, starting with in-state nemesis Newberry College on October 20 at 1 p.m. Limestone shocked the Wolves last season during their homecoming by rallying from a 17-0 halftime deficit for a last-second 27-24 decision.
 
Following a road game at Catawba College, the Blue and Gold will host Wingate University in the regular season finale on November 3 at 4 p.m. The Bulldogs, who are a perfect 4-0 against the Saints, won the 2017 South Atlantic Conference Championship and qualified for the NCAA Division II Playoffs.  
 
Limestone will officially get the 2018 campaign started with spring practice in a couple of weeks, culminating with the Blue & White Spring Game on April 14.

2018 SCHEDULE:
9/1 at Gardner-Webb
9/8 at West Georgia
9/15 at Tusculum
9/22 West Alabama (HOME)
9/29 Mars Hill (HOMECOMING)
10/6 at Carson-Newman
10/13 at Lenoir-Rhyne
10/20 Newberry (HOME)
10/27 at Catawba
11/3 Wingate (HOME)