Despite being the reigning South Atlantic Conference champions, the Wingate Bulldogs landed in the No. 2 spot in the 2025 SAC Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The team was 9-2 overall last year and 6-1 in conference playing, using a win over favorite Lenoir-Rhyne to secure the SAC’s Piedmont Division title and earn a chance to play for the conference championship.

Wingate then defeated Carson-Newman in the championship game to claim its third SAC crown overall and first since 2017.

Both squads were eliminated from the first round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs, while Lenoir-Rhyne was able to win a game before bowing out.

Lenoir-Rhyne again was selected to finish atop the new-look SAC standings in 2025.

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For the first time since 2021, the SAC is moving away from the two-division format, and the 10 remaining teams now must battle each other through the regular season to see who lands on top.

Wingate has been on quite the ride since 2016, winning at least eight games eight times, and the Bulldogs’ playoff appearance in 2024 was their fifth in seven years. 

Wingate’s SAC title defense will begin Aug. 30 with the first of two nonconference games. 

First, UNC Pembroke will visit Irwin Belk Stadium, which will be followed by a visit from Bluefield State on Sept. 13.

The Bulldogs’ run of nine straight conference games will start on the road at UVA Wise on Sept. 20.

Wingate Football Schedule 2025

All Times Eastern

• Aug. 30 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. UNC Pembroke
• Sept. 13 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. Bluefield State
• Sept. 20 (Sat): 2 p.m. at UVA Wise
• Sept. 27 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. Carson-Newman
• Oct. 4 (Sat): 7 p.m. at Newberry
• Oct. 11 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. Catawba
• Oct. 18 (Sat): 1 p.m. at Emory & Henry
• Oct. 25 (Sat): 2 p.m. at Anderson
• Nov. 1 (Sat): 3 p.m. vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• Nov. 8 (Sat): 2 p.m. at Tusculum 
• Nov. 15 (Sat): 3 p.m. vs. Mars Hill

What Was The Wingate Football Record In 2024?

9-2 (6-1 SAC)

• Wingate 17, UNC Pembroke 12
• Wingate 21, Delta State 7
• Carson-Newman 31, Wingate 28 (OT)
• Wingate 33, UVA Wise 0
• Wingate 50, Barton 0
• Wingate 38, Limestone 12
• Wingate 24, Catawba 15
• Wingate 14, Lenoir-Rhyne 10
• Wingate 38, Newberry 0
• Wingate 28, Carson-Newman 13
• Virginia Union 34, Wingate 31 (OT)

2025 SAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll

1. Lenoir-Rhyne
2. Wingate
3. Carson-Newman
4. Emory & Henry
5. Mars Hill
6. Catawba
7. Newberry
8. Anderson
9. UVA Wise
10. Tusculum

How To Stream Wingate Football Games In 2025

Every SAC and home Wingate football game will stream live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. 

Game replays, highlights and breaking news will also be available on both platforms.

When Do The 2025 NCAA Division II College Football Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Playoffs will be Nov. 22.

The 2025 Division II Football Championship title game will be played Dec. 20, 2025, at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas

College Football Rankings 2024 – Final AFCA Division II Coaches Poll

End Of 2024 Season

1. Ferris St. (Mich.) (27) 14-1  
2. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 13-1  
3. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 12-2  
4. Harding (Ark.) 12-2  
5. Kutztown (Pa.) 11-1  
6. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 11-2  
7. Minnesota St. 11-4  
8. Colorado St.-Pueblo 10-2  
9. Central Oklahoma 11-2  
10. Western Colorado 11-2  
11. Virginia Union 10-4  
12. California (Pa.) 10-3  
13. Bemidji St. (Minn.) 10-4  
14. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 10-2  
15. Charleston (W.Va.) 11-1  
16. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 10-3  
17. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 8-3  
18. West Alabama 9-2  
19. Indianapolis (Ind.) 10-2  
20. Angelo St. (Tex.) 9-3  
21. Wingate (N.C.) 9-2  
22. Miles (Ala.) 10-3  
23. Ashland (Ohio) 9-4  
24. Central Washington 8-4  
25. Augustana (S.D.) 8-4  

Others Receiving Votes: Colorado School of Mines, 56; Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 47; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 38; Central Missouri, 35; West Florida, 20; Southern Arkansas, 16; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 14; New Haven (Conn.), 1; Truman St. (Mo.), 1.

Five Hours Of Division II Football Highlights | 2024 College Football Touchdowns

Watch five hours of college football highlights, featuring touchdowns from Ferris State Football, GVSU Football, Central Missouri Football and more across Division II during the 2024 season.

Archived Footage On FloCollege

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