INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – After making a run to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs and finishing No. 9 in the nation a year ago, the West Liberty University football team is ready to make its prime-time national television debut.
The CBS College Sports Network has made the Hilltoppers’ game at Fairmont State part of this season’s six-game NCAA Division II package of live national Thursday night telecasts.
West Liberty’s defending West Virginia Conference champions and the Falcons have moved their game from Saturday, Oct. 2 to Thursday, Sept. 30 in order to accommodate the prime-time telecast. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. under the lights at the Falcons’ Duvall-Rosier Field.“We’re very excited to be featured as part of the CBS College Sports NCAA Division II package,” Hilltopper head coach Roger Waialae said. “We have a great rivalry with Fairmont and this national telecast will be a great showcase for both universities and the conference.”
West Liberty was the first WVIAC school that host a CBS College Sports telecast as the Hilltopper men’s basketball game against Wheeling Jesuit was televised live from the ASRC in February 2009. The first live nationwide telecast of a WVIAC football game came last November when Glenville State hosted Shepherd.
“Our partnership with CBS College Sports has provided a national platform to help us tell the Division II story,” said Division II President Mike Racy. “During the past four years, we have brought the national TV spotlight to more than 50 Division II campuses and featured more than 100 Division II colleges and universities.”
The Hilltoppers led the nation in scoring and total offense a year ago while posting a school-record 11-2 mark and are expected to be a fixture in this summer’s preseason polls as the nucleus of that high-powered attack returns intact.
Harlon Hill Award runnerup QB Zach Amedro, All-American WRs Ryan Travis and Kashif Walls and All-Region tailback Kevon Calhoun all return for their senior seasons on the hilltop as West Liberty looks to defend its WVIAC title and make another deep NCAA Division II playoff run.
Amedro passed for 409 yards and 4 TDs in monsoon-like conditions a year ago as the Hilltoppers – who were unbeaten in WVIAC play – splashed their way to a 35-9 victory against Fairmont in West Liberty.
The Hilltoppers are one of four 2009 NCAA Division II playoff teams to be featured in this season’s CBS College Sports package, which features teams from seven different conferences and all four NCAA Division II regions.
The Thursday Night Spotlight schedule kicks off on Sept. 2 when national runnerup Grand Valley State (Mich.) hosts West Texas A&M.
Arkansas Tech, another playoff squad, travels to Delta State (Miss.) on Sept. 9 with Southern Connecticut State hosting American International on Sept. 23 before West Liberty and Fairmont close out the September slate.
West Chester (Pa.) hosts playoff qualifier Shippensburg (Pa.) on Oct. 7 before the series finale on Oct. 14 between Elizabeth City State (N.C.) and Virginia State.
West Liberty will open the 2010 season at home on Saturday, Sept. 4 with a rematch against NCAA Division II playoff foe Edinboro (Pa.).
The Hilltoppers split a pair of games with the Fighting Scots last year, dropping a 42-30 decision at Edinboro in the season opener before avenging that loss with a record-setting 84-63 romp at Russek Field in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
West Liberty’s complete 2010 football schedule will be announced later this month.
