Courtesy of Edward Waters Athletics
Jacksonville, Florida-The Edward Waters football squad unveiled their 2024 schedule on Friday afternoon. After finishing the 2023 season with a 6-4 overall mark, the program’s best record since 2004, and a 5-3 mark against SIAC competition, head coach Toriano Morgan the Tigers prepare to make an even bigger impact in 2024. The 2024 season will see Edward Waters become full members of the SIAC and NCAA Division II after their three-year mandated transitional period after moving from the NAIA, thus making the program not only eligible for the conference championship but also eligible to compete for an NCAA Division II National Championship.
The 2024 season will see 10 contests, eight against SIAC competition and two against non-conference opponents. Tiger fans will have an opportunity to see the team play four times inside the confines of Glover Community Field & Stadium, while six contests will be away from Jacksonville.
After a week one bye on August 31st, the Tigers will open the season on a three-game road trip. On Saturday, September 7th the Tigers head down to Miami Gardens to battle longtime rival Florida Memorial in the 4th Annual Big Cat Classic. The Tigers look to get back on the winning side in this rivalry after dropping the last two straight contests against the Lions, including last season’s 38-21 loss in Jacksonville.
The Tigers then will head to Lorman, Mississippi to face Alcorn State on September 14th at Spinks-Casem Stadium. This will be the second all-time meeting between the Tigers and Braves since the 2013 season opener when a then Brad Bernard coached Edward Waters squad fell to ASU 63-13.
The road trip concludes on September 21st when the Purple & Orange open SIAC play against two-time and defending conference champion, Benedict in Columbia, South Carolina. Since joining the SIAC, Benedict has been a thorn in the sides of Edward Waters, winning the first two meetings between the two teams in 2021, and last season’s 34-0 home loss.
Edward Waters opens the home portion of their schedule on September 28th as they will welcome the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University to “The Jungle”. Last season’s meeting between the two teams had one of the best and most memorable finishes of the 2023 HBCU and college football season, as Edward Waters, on a hail mary on the final play of the game, knocked off Tuskegee on their Homecoming 41-38.
October opens with a home matchup against the Wildcats of Fort Valley State on the 5th. EWU came up just short last season with a 34-31 loss to FVSU in Georgia.
The Tigers next head up I-75 to Atlanta to battle the new-look Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College on October 12th. As of late, Edward Waters has had the better of Morehouse, winning the last three meetings, including a dominant 44-13 win last season at home.
On October 19th, the Tigers meet up with I-95 rival Savannah State for a gridiron battle in Jacksonville, Edward Waters snapped a five-game losing skid in 2023, defeating SSU 26-25 in Savannah.
EWU begins a two-game road trip on October 26th in Albany, Georgia to battle the Golden Rams of Albany State. The Purple & Orange had another last second victory against ASU last season, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with eight seconds left in the fourth quarter to earn their first victory over the Golden Rams since 1967.
The longest road trip of the season takes place on November 2nd, when EWU heads to Jackson, Tennessee to face the Dragons of Lane College. Edward Waters was able to celebrate a Homecoming victory, holding off the Dragons 37-30 last year.
The 2024 regular season concludes on November 9th as Edward Waters celebrates Homecoming against rival Allen University in the AME Football Classic. Last season, the “Bishop’s Trophy” went to the Yellow Jackets for the first time since 1959 after EWU’s 59-21 loss in Columbia.
Kickoff times and season ticket information will be made available at a later date.
2024 Edward Waters Football Schedule
| Aug. 31st | BYE WEEK |
| Sept. 7th | at Florida Memorial |
| Sept. 14th | at Alcorn State |
| Sept. 21st | at Benedict |
| Sept. 28th | *Tuskegee |
| Oct. 5th | *Fort Valley State |
| Oct. 12th | *at Morehouse |
| Oct. 19th | *Savannah State |
| Oct. 26th | *at Albany State |
| Nov. 2nd | *at Lane |
| Nov. 9th | *Allen (Homecoming) |
*SIAC Contest