Tuesday, September 5, 2023
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

AHEAD IN WEEK 2

Friday, Sept. 8

Barton College at Davidson, 7 p.m.
Broadcast: Not Available
Location: Davidson, N.C.     Stadium: Richardson Stadium
Series: DAV leads, 1-0    Streak: DAV, one win
Last Meeting: Davidson def. Barton, 37-17 (2022)
Moved due to forecast inclement weather Saturday.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Taylor at Butler, 1 p.m.
Broadcast: FloFootball
Location: Indianapolis, Ind.    Stadium: Sellick Bowl
Series: BUT leads, 9-1    Streak: BUT, two wins
Last Meeting: Butler def. Taylor, 45-10 (2022)

Central State at Dayton, 1 p.m.
Broadcast: Facebook Live
Location: Dayton, Ohio    Stadium: Welcome Stadium
Series: DAY leads, 7-1    Streak: DAY, seven wins
Last Meeting: Dayton def. Central State, 31-19 (2016)

Virginia-Lynchburg at Presbyterian, 1 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+
Location: Clinton, S.C.     Stadium: Bailey Stadium
Series: PRE leads, 1-0    Streak: PRE, one win
Last Meeting: Presbyterian def. Virginia-Lynchburg, 21-13 (2022)

St. Thomas at South Dakota, 2 p.m.
Broadcast: Midco Sports +
Location: Vermillion, S.D.    Stadium: The DakotaDome
Series: First Meeting

Colorado Mesa at San Diego, 4 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+
Location: San Diego, Calif.    Stadium: Torero Stadium
Series: First Meeting

Valparaiso at Indiana Wesleyan, 6 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+
Location: Marion, Ind.     Stadium: Wildcat Football Stadium
Series: Series tied, 1-1    Streak: VAL, one win
Last Meeting: Valparaiso def. Indiana Wesleyan, 20-17 (2022)

Northwestern (Iowa) at Drake, 7 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+
Location: Des Moines, Iowa    Stadium: Drake Stadium
Series: DRA leads, 2-1    Streak: DRA, one win
Last Meeting: Drake def. Northwestern, 27-20 (1997)

Morehead State at #20 Mercer, 7 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+
Location: Macon, Ga.     Stadium: Five Star Stadium
Series: MER leads, 1-0    Streak: MER, one win
Last Meeting: Mercer def. Morehead State, 63-13 (2022)

Webber International at Stetson, 7 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+
Location: DeLand, Fla.    Stadium: Spec Martin Memorial Stad.
Series: STE leads, 1-0    Streak: STE, one win
Last Meeting: Stetson def. Webber International, 42-13 (2015)

NOTES FROM AROUND THE PFL

ST. THOMAS’ CARUSO NOTCHES 150TH WIN IN SEASON OPENER
St. Thomas head coach Glenn Caruso secured his 150th career victory in the Tommies season-opening victory against Black Hills State. Now he turns his attention to his 150th victory as St. Thomas head coach, entering this week with 144 wins in St. Paul.

LAST TURN FOR DAVIDSON’S RICHARDSON STADIUM
When Davidson hosts Barton College to open its 2023 home schedule, it will be the final football home opener at Richardson Stadium. The facility, which opened in 1923, is scheduled to be replaced by a new on-campus home for the football team. Construction on the new football facility began in April and it is scheduled to be completed in time for Davidson’s 2024 home opener.

MARIST, STETSOn, & VALPARAISO NEAR PROGRAM MILESTONES
Three PFL programs enter 2023 looking ahead to program victory milestones. Valparaiso begins the year with 398 wins, two shy of the 400-win milestone. Marist and Stetson each begin to work toward 200 program victory, with the Hatters needing one wins in 2023 while the Red Foxes are five wins away.

PFL’S 31ST CAMPAIGN
The 2023 season marks the 31st year for the Pioneer Football League – the nation’s only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference. The league will feature 11 teams – tied for most in league history – each playing an eight-game schedule to determine the league champion and recipient of the automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA FCS Championship.

DEFENDING CHAMPION ST. THOMAS PICKED TO WIN PFL
St. Thomas, the defending Pioneer Football League champion, was the choice to win the league’s 2023 title as selected in the league’s Preseason Coaches’ poll released Tuesday and voted upon by the league’s head coaches.
St. Thomas received 98 of the maximum 100 points available, with coaches unable to vote for their teams. Davidson followed closely with 92 points – putting the Tommies and Wildcats as the league’s clear frontrunners entering the 2023 season. Dayton and San Diego, perennial league favorites, were picked to finish third and fourth, respectively.

PFL SEES FOUR 2022 MAJOR AWARD WINNERS RETURN FOR 2023
Four of the PFL’s five major award winners from 2022 return for the 2023 season, led by reigning PFL Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Bret Bushka of Butler. He is joined by Butler’s punter and kicker Luka Zurak, who returns after claiming PFL Special Teams Player of the Year last season. Drake defensive lineman Finn Claypool also returns after earning Freshman Defensive Player of the Year recognition in 2022. Stetson quarterback Brady Meitz also returns after claiming Freshman Offensive Player of the Year honors.

WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE RETURNS ACROSS THE PFL
Eighty-six student-athletes recognized on the 2022 All-PFL Teams and honorable mention lists return for the 2023 season, including 12 returning First Team All-PFL selections and 15 returning Second Team All-PFL honorees.

GREG WALTER NAMED SECOND PFL COMMISSIONER
The Pioneer Football League’s Presidents Council named Greg Walter the league’s second commissioner, effective August 1. Walter, who served as the PFL’s associate commissioner since 2013, brings two decades of collegiate athletics experience, including an extensive background in leadership roles within the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), into his new role with the league. In addition, Patty Viverito will remain an advisor to the Pioneer Football League after serving as commissioner since the league’s founding in 1993.