Delaware Stadium set to host an FCS football playoff game
NEWARK, Del. (BVM) — There will be playoff college football taking place in Delaware this spring, whether either of the state’s two FCS teams make the field is another story. On April 8, the NCAA Division I Football Championship committee announced 14 preliminary round sites for its 16-team playoff tournament. This tournament, which was chosen in February, will have games played at 14 predetermined sites as the health and safety protocols surrounding the pandemic made it necessary to conduct NCAA championship competition at predetermined sites.
Among the 14 sites was Delaware Stadium on the University of Delaware campus in Newark. Though it is not known yet which round of the tournament the stadium will host, it was announced that eight of the 14 sites would be chosen to host first-round games before 12 of the 14 sites would be in contention to host the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the championship. The sites will have no impact on the teams selected to participate in the playoffs.
We’ve been picked as one of 14 predetermined sites for the FCS Playoffs. 🏈 @DelawareFB ⬇️ https://t.co/ZrDahLFcbD
— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) April 8, 2021
Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas will play host to the title game for the 11th straight year.
It was determined back in February that the playoff field would go from its usual 24-team field to the 16-team field due to the pandemic. Of the 16 teams, 10 will be automatic qualifiers from the FCS conferences: Big Sky, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association, Missouri Valley Football Conference, Northeast Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, Patriot League, Pioneer Football League, Southern Conference and Southland Conference. The remaining six spots will be at-large bids with the committee making the determination based on a number of factors including wins and FBS performances from the fall. To qualify for the playoffs, teams must play in at least four games.
The last regular season games, including conference championships, must be completed no later than Saturday. A selection show determining the 16 teams that will make the playoffs will be held on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPNU.
“We are excited for the upcoming championship and thankful to the hosts of this year’s sites,” Chair of the committee and Director of Athletics at Missouri State University Kyle Moats said in the NCAA press release. “Given the unique circumstances of this football season, the committee believes the predetermined sites and hosts chosen will provide both a safe and enjoyable environment for all our participants. An exceptional student-athlete experience is one of our top priorities and we are confident that our hosts will make this year’s championship memorable for all involved.”
No. 7 Delaware (4-0; 3-0 CAA) plays its final regular-season game on Saturday against fellow CAA member No. 10 Villanova in Villanova, Pa., in a game that could potentially determine which of the two teams will make the postseason.
All 14 predetermined sites are as follows:
- Newark, Del. – Delaware
- Cheney, Wash. – Eastern Washington
- Jacksonville, Ala. – Jacksonville State
- Harrisonburg, Va. – James Madison
- Kennesaw, Ga. – Kennesaw State
- Orono, Maine – Maine
- Springfield, Mo. – Missouri State
- Murray, Ky. – Murray State
- Grand Forks, N.D. – North Dakota
- Fargo, N.D. – North Dakota State
- Huntsville, Texas – Sam Houston
- Brookings, S.D. – South Dakota State
- Villanova, Penn. – Villanova
- Ogden, Utah – Weber State
