When the Adrian College football team ventures Saturday to Wisconsin-Whitewater, the Bulldogs will encounter a rare challenge for both the program and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football.
Adrian opens its season at No. 1 Whitewater, the defending NCAA Division III national champions.
The Adrian football program has never faced either a top-ranked team or defending national champion, according to athletic director Mike Duffy. In 1980, the Bulldogs played Denison University, a top-five team and preseason top pick by Sports Illustrated.
Adrian becomes the first MIAA team to play a top-ranked opponent since Hope faced the University of Mount Union (Ohio) in the 2006 Division III playoffs.
The Bulldogs are the first MIAA team to play a defending national champion in the regular season since 1999. Here is a list of MIAA games against defending champs (information provided by the MIAA).
Tom,
ReplyDeleteWe're playing Albion not Adrian.
Warhawk71