Union News

Wingate University Athletics recently issued the following announcement.

The 2021 Wingate University football season will get underway Thursday, Sept. 2, when the Bulldogs host Shaw at 6 p.m. in the season opener. The 'Dogs have an 11-game regular season slate in 2021, including six home games. Wingate is at home for four of the first five weeks of the season. The Bulldogs went 10-2 in their last full fall season in 2019, while posting a 2-2 mark in the 2021 spring slate. As of today, there are no attendance limitations or policies in place, and tailgating will also be permitted for the 2021 season. Any changes or updates in the Wingate policy will be announced on wingatebulldogs.com and on Wingate social media platforms. Single-game and season tickets are on sale now! The University will continue to monitor the CDC guidelines in the upcoming weeks. If social distancing is not possible, the University strongly urges fans to wear a face covering. 

The Bulldogs have earned three consecutive bids to the NCAA Division II play-offs for the first time in program history. Prior to the run, Wingate's only appearance in the D2 play-offs was the 2010 season, which saw the 'Dogs capture their first-ever SAC title. The Bulldogs have piled up a program-best 28 wins over their last three fall seasons and 37 wins the last four full years. Wingate leads the conference in total wins (37) and league victories (23) since the start of the 2016 season. The 10-2 season in 2019 was the first 10-win season in program history.

The Bulldogs open the season Thursday, Sept. 2, hosting Shaw at 6 p.m. Wingate is 2-0 all-time against the Bears, prevailing in 2015 and 2016, with one win coming at home and the other coming at Shaw. The most recent meeting saw the Bulldogs roll to a 56-7 victory over Shaw at Irwin Belk Stadium. Wingate has won each of its last eight season openers. The Bulldogs are 18-2 in season openers in the Joe Reich era.

Wingate is back at home the following weekend, hosting Fayetteville State at 6 p.m. on Patriot's Day and Family Weekend. The 'Dogs are 6-0 all-time against the Broncos, with a 3-0 mark at home in a series that dates all the way back to 1997. The most recent meeting came in 2019, when the Bulldogs prevailed 34-24 in Fayetteville, outscoring the Broncos 17-0 in the third quarter.

Wingate opens league play on the road the following weekend, traveling to Carson-Newman for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 18. The Eagles lead the all-time series 25-7, going 13-3 in Tennessee, but Wingate has had the upper hand of late. After winning just one of the first 22 meetings, the Bulldogs won three straight against Carson-Newman from 2010 through 2012. Wingate has won three of the last four in the series, prevailing in 2016, 2017 and 2019. The 31-27 victory over the Eagles in 2017 was the first night game in the history of Irwin Belk Stadium. The 2019 meeting saw the Bulldogs blank the Eagles in the second half to rally for a 30-28 victory, holding the vaunted Carson-Newman rushing attack to just 87 total yards on the night.

The Bulldogs return home for their next two conference games, welcoming Catawba to town Sept. 25 for a 6 p.m. kickoff. Wingate is 16-17 all-time against the Indians, riding a four-game winning streak which includes a 33-6 home victory over the Indians this past spring. The Bulldogs have won nine of the last 10 in the series, prevailing 13-10 in Salisbury early in the 2019 season.

Wingate's fourth home game of the season comes in week five, hosting Tusculum at 6 p.m. on Homecoming/Hall of Fame weekend. The Bulldogs are 15-9 all-time against the Pioneers, with a 9-2 record at home. The series has been tightly contested over the past decade, with Wingate winning five of the last eight contests including the last two. The Bulldogs won 16-12 in Irwin Belk Stadium in 2018, while prevailing 28-21 in Tennessee in 2019.

A three-game road trip starts Oct. 9 when the Bulldogs travel to Limestone for a 1 p.m. start. Wingate is 6-0 all-time against the Saints, with a 3-0 record at Limestone. The Bulldogs have outscored the Saints 227-97 in the series, averaging just under 38 points per game. The last meeting came in 2019, when Wingate rolled to a 34-3 home victory. The last time Wingate went to Gaffney was in 2018, prevailing 49-26 behind a monster day from Nijere Peoples, who ran for 239 yards and five touchdowns in 25 attempts.

Wingate travels to Barton Oct. 16 for a 4 p.m. kickoff. The Barton Bulldogs had their first football season in the spring of 2021. Wingate travelled to Barton and prevailed 55-14 in the spring opener this past March.

The road trip wraps up on Oct. 23 when Wingate makes its first-ever trip to UVA Wise for a noon start. The Bulldogs and Cavs met for the first time in 2019, with the 'Dogs rolling to a 45-13 victory at Irwin Belk Stadium. Wingate led 24-13 after a high-scoring first quarter, then blanked the Cavs over the final three frames while outgaining UVA Wise 295-40 on the ground for the night.

Wingate returns home Oct. 30 to host Lenoir-Rhyne at 6 p.m. The Bears lead the all-time series 23-13, with a 12-6 record in Hickory. Lenoir-Rhyne has won four straight in the series, but three of those were one-score contests. The Bears won an NCAA play-off game with a last-minute touchdown in Hickory in 2018, while prevailing 20-13 in Hickory in 2019. Wingate had won three straight in the series from 2015 through 2017.

The final road trip of the regular season is Nov. 6 when Wingate heads to Newberry for a 1 p.m. start. The Bulldogs are 16-15 all-time against the Wolves, with a 7-9 mark in South Carolina. Wingate had won three straight before Newberry's home victory in the 2021 spring season. Wingate rolled to a 44-20 victory in 2017, then prevailed 31-17 at Newberry in 2018 before a 35-28 home win on Senior Day in 2019.

Wingate wraps up the regular season at home, hosting Mars Hill Nov. 13 on Senior Day at 3 p.m. The Bulldogs are 17-17 all-time against the Lions, with a 10-7 record at home. The 'Dogs have won four straight in the series, piling up 206 points in those four contests for over 51 points per game, while scoring at least 40 all four times. The Bulldogs rolled to a 58-21 home win in 2018, while finishing off their first-ever 10-win season in 2019 with a 64-34 victory, setting the school record for points in a game and points in a half, thanks to a 48-point second half. The 'Dogs piled up 550 yards of offense on the day.

2021 Ticket Information

On Sale Now | General Admission Single Game and Season Tickets

GA Adults: $40; GA Child(K-18): $20

On Sale August 23 | Reserved Season Tickets

On Sale August 30 | Reserved Single Game Tickets

Renewing your tickets? Those season ticket holders looking to renew should have information in your inbox on how to renew your tickets. Please complete the online renewal process by August 21 at 11 p.m.

New and current Football Families & Friends can purchase reserved season ticket seats with NCAA approved discounted tickets; please purchase by August 25 at 9 a.m. in order to receive a season ticket card to be picked up at Will Call on Sept 2. Parents of current football student-athletes will receive more information about this via email.

Original source can be found here.