MIAA Conference announces 2024 football schedule
By Calvin Silvers
The MIAA Conference announced its schedule for the 2024 football season on Thursday, with the football season officially beginning Thursday, August 29, with the final regular season contest set for November 16.
With Lincoln University’s departure from the league and Northeastern State University becoming independent, the MIAA will showcase a 10-team conference schedule for the first time since 2011.
Starting with Northwest Missouri State, the Bearcats open their upcoming season against a ranked opponent, as the No. 23 Bearcats welcome No. 11 Minnesota State from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletics Conference.
MIAA play will begin the week after, as Northwest will travel to Kearney, Nebraska, to take on the Lopers. The Bearcats will have home contests against Fort Hays State, Emporia State, Central Missouri, Northeastern State and Pittsburg State.
Northwest will face Missouri Southern, Washburn, Central Oklahoma and Missouri Western on the road. That’s six home games and five away games, with a bye week coming in Week 8.
Switching to Missouri Western, the Griffons open their upcoming season on the road, as they also will play in Week 0 against now independent Northeastern State.
MIAA play will begin the week after, as Western will still be on the road, this time against Fort Hays State. The Griffons will have home contests against Missouri Southern, Washburn, Nebraska-Kearney, Central Oklahoma, Northwest Missouri State and Quincy.
On the road, western will face Emporia State, Pittsburgh State and Central Missouri.
That’s a total of 6 home games and 5 away games for Western, with a bye week coming in Week 8.
“I am very excited for the 2024 Division II football season,” MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy said. “Week Zero has opened up scheduling opportunities for many Division II conferences and this is a great development for college football fans from coast to coast.”
