NEWBERRY — Newberry’s season finale with Wingate from Setzler Field on Nov. 12 will be televised on the American Sports Network as part of the Division II Football Showcase, solidifying the matchup as one of the most pivotal games in the nation.
“The first time we were on TV this season, it was awesome for Newberry,” said head coach Todd Knight, “but having it happen two times in one year is unbelievable for us. We’ve never had this type of exposure before. And both of these games being at home is fantastic for the college and the whole city of Newberry.”
The 20th-ranked Wolves and Bulldogs are currently the top two teams in the South Atlantic Conference standings and were ranked fifth and sixth in the most recent Super Region 2 rankings released by the NCAA last Monday.
Newberry clinched at least a share of the league championship with its 53-14 win over Lenoir-Rhyne last weekend and is looking to become the 16th team in SAC history to have a perfect season in conference play. A Wingate win would clinch a share of the championship for the Bulldogs and bolster the team’s playoff resume.
The NCAA announced the Division II Football Showcase in June as a slate of 22 Division II games, two each week, that would be split evenly between ESPN3 and ASN. The first 18 games of the Showcase were predetermined, with two games on each of the final two weekends at the discretion of the networks in an effort to highlight the nation’s most pivotal matchups. The Newberry vs. Wingate game was deemed worthy of selection.
“This is a great decision by ASN to showcase an incredibly important South Atlantic Conference game,” said Interim Director of Athletics Ralph Patterson. “Wingate has a great team. This is a great game to showcase our conference on national television.”
Newberry is one of two teams, along with third-ranked and 2015 national runner-up Shepherd, that will be featured twice on the Division II television package this season after the Rams’ Nov. 5 home game vs. No. 20 Fairmont State was selected by ASN. ESPN3 has picked up the Edinboro vs. No. 6 California (Pa.) matchup on Nov. 5 and the Northeast-10 Championship Game on Nov. 12.
Newberry earned a convincing 35-14 win over Catawba on Oct. 1 in a game broadcast online nationally on ESPN3 in the Wolves’ first television appearance this season.