Aug. 7, 2012
Somerset, NJ - Northeast Conference football will be on TV for the whole nation to see this fall.
The Division I FCS conference announced a five-game television package that guarantees each of the league's nine members at least one national exposure.
All five contests are scheduled to air live on Fox College Sports (FCS) with four of the five also being picked up by online-and-mobile-based ESPN3.
"As NEC football continues to increase its visibility, we are pleased to announce a television slate that provides our fans with coast-to-coast coverage this season," said Ron Ratner, NEC Associate Commissioner. "Along with our loyal regional affiliates, we are extremely excited to showcase our teams on a national scale via Fox College Sports and ESPN3. There are so many stories to tell, and with some terrific matchups and games of regional interest, this year's schedule really stands out."
Regional sports networks such as MSG and Root Sports (Pittsburgh) will also air select contests. Meanwhile, local carriers Cox (CT/RI) and Time Warner 3 (Albany) have also agreed to air games and additional carriers may be added in the coming weeks.
The schedule will kick off on September 22 at newly-renovated Arute Field in New Britain, CT where Central Connecticut will host Wagner in a primetime affair. Slated for a 7:00 pm start, the Blue Devils and Seahawks will air live on FCS and MSG.
The NEC-TV crew will again be in Connecticut on September 29 to televise the annual Constitution State Rivalry Game between Central Connecticut and Sacred Heart. The game, which will be played on Homecoming Weekend in Fairfield, CT, will start at 12:00 pm and can be seen on FCS, Cox (CT), and ESPN3.
The middle game of the five-game schedule will take viewers to Smithfield, RI where Bryant will entertain NEC preseason favorite UAlbany on October 6. The host Bulldogs, who are postseason eligible after completing the four-year NCAA Division I reclassification process, and defending league champion Great Danes will kick off at 12:00 pm before a live television audience on FCS, ESPN3, Cox (RI) and TimeWarner3 (Albany).
After opening with three games in three weeks, the NEC football television schedule will go on hiatus for the remainder of October and will resume just in time for the season's stretch run on the first Saturday of November.
NEC-TV cameras will be at Joe Walton Stadium on November 3 for the annual Steel City Showdown between Robert Morris and Duquesne. The rivalry contest will kick off at 3:30 pm and air live on Root Sports, FCS, and ESPN3.
The schedule will conclude on November 10 at the Jersey Shore. Monmouth will welcome Saint Francis (PA) to West Long Branch, NJ for a 12:00 pm start that will be shown live on FCS and ESPN3. Root Sports plans to air the contest on tape delay.
Paul Dottino, who doubles as a reporter and host for the New York Giants' Radio Network, will return for his 10th season as the play-by-play announcer for NEC football. Entering his third season, former Cal quarterback Steve Levy will provide color commentary. Eric Singer is the producer of NEC football telecasts.
Set for its 17th season on the gridiron, the NEC will watch nine postseason-eligible members - Albany, Bryant, Central Connecticut, Duquesne, Monmouth, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, Saint Francis (PA) and Wagner - battle for the coveted conference crown. For the third year running, the Northeast Conference will award its football champion with an automatic berth into the NCAA FCS playoff bracket.
2012 NEC Football Schedule
Date Matchup Time Broadcast OutletsSept. 22 Wagner at CCSU 7:00 pm FCS, MSG NetworkSept. 29 CCSU at Sacred Heart 12:00 pm FCS, ESPN3, Cox (CT)Oct. 6 Albany at Bryant 12:00 pm FCS, ESPN3, Cox (RI), TW3 (Albany)Nov. 3 Duquesne at Robert Morris 3:30 pm FCS, ESPN3, Root Sports (Pittsburgh)Nov. 10 Saint Francis (PA) at Monmouth 12:00 pm FCS, ESPN3, TD - Root Sports (Pittsburgh)
