"HURST OUT OF PSAC?

[IUPHawks24]

For an FBS team to be able to count an FCS win towards their bowl eligibility (and by consequence, for an FBS team to even consider scheduling an FCS team in most cases), the FCS team has to average at least 80% of the maximum allowable scholarships per year over a two year period. To Mercyhurst's credit, the fact that they've seemingly met this benchmark only 2 years into their transition seems to indicate that they're trying to make a concerted effort to become competitive in D1. However, to your credit, I doubt that alone will make them immediately competitive, so they'll probably continue to be an easy win for most opponents.

I do have to wonder why they keep taking away games so far west though. Is it a money thing, or are they just having that hard of a time finding opponents east of the Mississippi?

I bet that's close to $1 million in revenue. Certainly over $500,000. Someone might be able to find it online if they look hard enough. All those schools are public universities.

[cwfenn]

Mercyhurst's non-conference schedule this coming fall:

@ Youngstown State
@ Sacramento State
@ Montana State
@ South Dakota State

That's a sh*t ton of travel and 4 very likely almost certain losses.

What - no SEC teams were available?

[crixus]

I can’t see any of those schools paying the hurst to come to play them?

With that schedule I think their nickname should be the hearse.

[TheROCK]

For an FBS team to be able to count an FCS win towards their bowl eligibility (and by consequence, for an FBS team to even consider scheduling an FCS team in most cases), the FCS team has to average at least 80% of the maximum allowable scholarships per year over a two year period. To Mercyhurst's credit, the fact that they've seemingly met this benchmark only 2 years into their transition seems to indicate that they're trying to make a concerted effort to become competitive in D1. However, to your credit, I doubt that alone will make them immediately competitive, so they'll probably continue to be an easy win for most opponents.

I do have to wonder why they keep taking away games so far west though. Is it a money thing, or are they just having that hard of a time finding opponents east of the Mississippi?

It might be for marketing. Not necessarily for football but for the school in general and some of their academic programs.

[Fightingscot82]

I can’t see any of those schools paying the hurst to come to play them?

Guarantees are a standard in FCS and FBS. That's the added attraction of playing down, the guarantee is less.

[BigCatcirca73]

Mercyhurst's non-conference schedule this coming fall:

@ Youngstown State
@ Sacramento State
@ Montana State
@ South Dakota State

That's a sh*t ton of travel and 4 very likely almost certain losses.

Montana St & SD St are guaranteed pounding. Both FCS Final Four teams this year - they never have 'down' years.

[IUPNation]

Mercyhurst's non-conference schedule this coming fall:

@ Youngstown State
@ Sacramento State
@ Montana State
@ South Dakota State

That's a sh*t ton of travel and 4 very likely almost certain losses.

The Bend Over Schedule.

[Tdobson]

I can’t see any of those schools paying the hurst to come to play them?

[Finchwidget]

Their phone is probably ringing off the hook.

They count as a D1 game and they stink. Easy W for most FCS teams.

For an FBS team to be able to count an FCS win towards their bowl eligibility (and by consequence, for an FBS team to even consider scheduling an FCS team in most cases), the FCS team has to average at least 80% of the maximum allowable scholarships per year over a two year period. To Mercyhurst's credit, the fact that they've seemingly met this benchmark only 2 years into their transition seems to indicate that they're trying to make a concerted effort to become competitive in D1. However, to your credit, I doubt that alone will make them immediately competitive, so they'll probably continue to be an easy win for most opponents.

I do have to wonder why they keep taking away games so far west though. Is it a money thing, or are they just having that hard of a time finding opponents east of the Mississippi?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I believe I saw that they also have a game @ FBS New Mexico lined up for 2026 as well

Their phone is probably ringing off the hook.

They count as a D1 game and they stink. Easy W for most FCS teams.

[Finchwidget]

Mercyhurst's non-conference schedule this coming fall:

@ Youngstown State
@ Sacramento State
@ Montana State
@ South Dakota State

That's a sh*t ton of travel and 4 very likely almost certain losses.

I believe I saw that they also have a game @ FBS New Mexico lined up for 2026 as well

[Fightingscot82]

Mercyhurst's non-conference schedule this coming fall:

@ Youngstown State
@ Sacramento State
@ Montana State
@ South Dakota State

That's a sh*t ton of travel and 4 very likely almost certain losses.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Westminster (Pa.) (not to be confused with Westminster (Utah) from the RMAC) was part of the GLIAC for three years (1997-2000) before ultimately dropping to D3. I think you're referring to what was called the Midwestern Intercollegiate Football Conference, of which Westminster was a part of for the 1998 season before the MIFC was disbanded and the GLIAC began sponsoring football again in 1999.

Two of my high school friends played at Westminster during their brief GLIAC run. It wasn't a fun experience for them.

[ctrabs74]

Probably not now that the GMAC is Region 3 in football which means they will be going far for any playoffs. I’m sure the GMAC was already clumped with Midwestern leagues for other sports playoffs.

Correct. The GMAC is part of the Midwest Region for non-football sports along with the GLIAC and GLVC.

[ctrabs74]

It looks like they were NAIA up until they tried to make a go of it in the MIAC then dropped down to D3.

Westminster (Pa.) (not to be confused with Westminster (Utah) from the RMAC) was part of the GLIAC for three years (1997-2000) before ultimately dropping to D3. I think you're referring to what was called the Midwestern Intercollegiate Football Conference, of which Westminster was a part of for the 1998 season before the MIFC was disbanded and the GLIAC began sponsoring football again in 1999.