Bowers selected as potential playoff site
4/8/2021 4:06:00 PM | Football
With the FCS playoffs almost two weeks away, Bowers Stadium has been selected as a potential location for the postseason, announced by the NCAA on Thursday.Â
Due to the health and safety protocols surrounding the pandemic, it was deemed necessary to conduct NCAA championship competition at predetermined sites. Of the 14 selected sites, eight will be chosen to host first-round games. Twelve of the 14 sites will be in contention to host the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the championship. Â
The Bearkats are undefeated in the postseason at Bowers Stadium, posting an all-time record of 13-0 in the playoffs. They last hosted a playoff game in 2017, a 34-27 thriller against Kennesaw State.Â
"We are excited for the upcoming championship and thankful to the hosts of this year's sites," said Kyle Moats, chair of the committee and Director of Athletics at Missouri State University. "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."
The NCAA has determined the maximum capacity for all stadiums during the postseason will be capped at 25 percent.
The Bearkat will play their final regular season home game on Saturday at 4 p.m. against McNeese State. The regular season finale will be April 17 at UIW. Tickets for the game against McNeese must be purchased in advance.Â
The designation of predetermined sites will have no bearing on the teams selected to participate in the postseason. The championship field will consist of 10 automatic qualifiers and 6 at-large qualifiers. Fall competitions will be considered when determining the field for the spring championship.
Participating teams will be revealed during the selection show on Sunday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m. on ESPNU.Â
All rounds of the FCS playoffs will be broadcast on ESPN's family of networks with first-round games taking place Saturday, April 24 and concluding with the national championship game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Sunday, May 16, at 1 p.m. on ABC.
The 14 sites, with host institutions are as follows:Â
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Due to the health and safety protocols surrounding the pandemic, it was deemed necessary to conduct NCAA championship competition at predetermined sites. Of the 14 selected sites, eight will be chosen to host first-round games. Twelve of the 14 sites will be in contention to host the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the championship. Â
The Bearkats are undefeated in the postseason at Bowers Stadium, posting an all-time record of 13-0 in the playoffs. They last hosted a playoff game in 2017, a 34-27 thriller against Kennesaw State.Â
"We are excited for the upcoming championship and thankful to the hosts of this year's sites," said Kyle Moats, chair of the committee and Director of Athletics at Missouri State University. "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."
The NCAA has determined the maximum capacity for all stadiums during the postseason will be capped at 25 percent.
The Bearkat will play their final regular season home game on Saturday at 4 p.m. against McNeese State. The regular season finale will be April 17 at UIW. Tickets for the game against McNeese must be purchased in advance.Â
The designation of predetermined sites will have no bearing on the teams selected to participate in the postseason. The championship field will consist of 10 automatic qualifiers and 6 at-large qualifiers. Fall competitions will be considered when determining the field for the spring championship.
Participating teams will be revealed during the selection show on Sunday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m. on ESPNU.Â
All rounds of the FCS playoffs will be broadcast on ESPN's family of networks with first-round games taking place Saturday, April 24 and concluding with the national championship game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Sunday, May 16, at 1 p.m. on ABC.
The 14 sites, with host institutions are as follows:Â
- Newark, Delaware – Delaware
- Cheney, Washington – Eastern Washington
- Jacksonville, Alabama – Jacksonville State
- Harrisonburg, Virginia – James Madison
- Kennesaw, Georgia – Kennesaw State
- Orono, Maine – Maine
- Springfield, Missouri – Missouri State
- Murray, Kentucky – Murray State
- Grand Forks, North Dakota – North Dakota
- Fargo, North Dakota – North Dakota State
- Huntsville, Texas – Sam Houston
- Brookings, South Dakota – South Dakota State
- Villanova, Pennsylvania – Villanova
- Ogden, Utah – Weber State
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