BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Thursday, the Gulf South Conference announced the upcoming schedule for the Football Game of the Week, 10-game slate featured exclusively on ESPN3 and the ESPN app. Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism will again serve as the title sponsor of the package, which will include in-game features and online promotional contests throughout the season.
ESPN3 will serve as the exclusive carrier of the league's package for the fourth straight season. This year's slate will feature nine Saturday games and one Thursday night contest.
"The Gulf South Conference's Game of the Week package has been a leader in Division II since its inception. Continuing our relationship with ESPN provides unparalleled exposure and distribution for the GSC," said GSC Commissioner Matt Wilson. "We believe that the ESPN digital platforms are ideal for our fans, student-athletes, and future recruits."
The schedule for 2017 can be found below. All nine conference squads are featured at least twice in the package.
| Week 3 |
September 16 |
North Alabama at Valdosta State |
| Week 4 |
September 23 |
Delta State at Shorter |
| Week 5 |
September 30 |
Delta State at Mississippi College |
| Week 6 |
October 7 |
Valdosta State at West Georgia |
| Week 7 |
October 14 |
Mississippi College at Valdosta State |
| Week 8 |
October 21 |
West Alabama at Florida Tech |
| Week 9 (Thu.) |
October 26 |
Shorter at West Georgia |
| Week 9 (Sat.) |
October 28 |
West Florida at West Alabama |
| Week 10 |
November 4 |
North Alabama at West Florida |
| Week 11 |
November 11 |
Florida Tech at Delta State |
Don Russell will continue to be the play-by-play voice of the league, and again be joined by Rick Rhodes as the color commentator. Gulf Coast Mobile L.L.C. will produce the package for the sixth year in a row.
The Hawks officially open the season on September 2, when they host Mars Hill at 1:00pm at Barron Stadium. The 2017 schedule features five home games and six away games, including a contest at DI Gardner-Webb on October 7. While, the home portion of the schedule, with the exception of the opener, will feature all GSC opponents, beginning with Delta State as the Game of the Week on September 23. North Alabama will make its final trip to Rome as a DII and GSC member on October 14, before West Florida comes to Shorter the following week for Homecoming weekend. The final home game of the year, and senior day, will be held on November 11 against Valdosta State.
About ESPN3
ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and streaming devices through the ESPN app. The network is currently available nationwide at no additional cost to those who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. It is also available at no cost to U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational and on-base military broadband and Wi-Fi networks.
