2025 Non-Conference Games

[SRU 88]

That is correct.

Lackawanna's full conference schedule is:

@ Seton Hill
@ Clarion
East Stroudsburg
@ Bloomsburg
Kutztown
West Chester
@ Shippensburg
@ Millersville
Shepherd
Slippery Rock

The aways are at home, and the homes are away

[ESU Warrior]

There's only room for one non-conference game on the schedule next year, so I assume the second WV school must be the divisional game against Shepherd.

I may have misspoke. When asked about non-conference I was told they spoke to two WV schools. Heard possibly Weslyn and WV State. Hopefully that clarifies things.

[EastStroud13]

I was told two west virgina schools. That one was mentioned.Not sure the other. I agree they are pitiful. I can see it being true as I would think they would want to get a "win" to start their transitioning season. If I hear who else I will share.

Not sure who ESU has. I thought a couple years ago they did have a multi year deal with Pace, but I am not sure when it expires.

I like that Pace is regional to ESU but we've outgrown them overall. We need to be looking higher with our next non-conference agreement.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I like that Pace is regional to ESU but we've outgrown them overall. We need to be looking higher with our next non-conference agreement.

The better you get, the harder it is to find non-conference games. Two to tango.

[Fightingscot82]

The better you get, the harder it is to find non-conference games. Two to tango.

Yep. There's only a few strategies:

a) Risk your WP for a high OWP by scheduling a good D2 team that could possibly beat you

b) A crappy D2 team that you'll blow out but it hurts your OWP

c) "Guarantee" money game vs FCS or national D2 power like Grand Valley that you're likely to lose but at least you got paid


I'm also a fan of scheduling a local D3 team and kick the crap out of them but at least you'll get better media coverage and more butts in the seats. No offense to Pace, but the NE10 doesn't travel well.

[ESU Warrior]

I like that Pace is regional to ESU but we've outgrown them overall. We need to be looking higher with our next non-conference agreement.

I agree with this, I also agree with IUPIndians that it takes two to tango. Tough to schedule non conference. Even with the East schools we are more limited than the West. I know when ESU went to Ferris years ago it was a two night trip via bus for nearly 15 hours. Great opponent I admit. Maybe we can look more towards the CIAA or a low tier FCS. I thought Wagner was great. Not sure who else would schedule a PSAC from that conference though. Just my two cents.

[ESU Warrior]

Yep. There's only a few strategies:

a) Risk your WP for a high OWP by scheduling a good D2 team that could possibly beat you

b) A crappy D2 team that you'll blow out but it hurts your OWP

c) "Guarantee" money game vs FCS or national D2 power like Grand Valley that you're likely to lose but at least you got paid


I'm also a fan of scheduling a local D3 team and kick the crap out of them but at least you'll get better media coverage and more butts in the seats. No offense to Pace, but the NE10 doesn't travel well.

ESU doesn;t really have any local D3s. I think Moravian is the closest at about 30 minutes away. Non conference are tough when trying to find an opponent that matches your same criteria. I thought the IUP/Ashland series was great and even Shep and Frostburg.

[Ram040506]

ESU doesn;t really have any local D3s. I think Moravian is the closest at about 30 minutes away. Non conference are tough when trying to find an opponent that matches your same criteria. I thought the IUP/Ashland series was great and even Shep and Frostburg.

CIAA would be a good place to look. Bowie State in Maryland or maybe the Richmond group of Virginia Union or Virginia State. Shepherd used to play them in the early part of the 2000's. Not a bad trip. I just looked at the NE10 standings and was going to suggest just upping the ante with who is at the top of their league. Shocked to see Post who was 1-9 is sitting at the top at 3-0. Bentley is 0-3.