MIAA releases TV schedule

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association released its television schedule for the 2012 season on Thursday, an expanded schedule from 10 to 11 televised games with nine matchups established and two flex dates for Nov. 3 and Nov. 10.

The expanded television schedule fits an expanded conference landscape: Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood (Mo.), Nebraska-Kearney and Northeastern State (Okla.) are new members and Southwest Baptist rejoins the fold in football in 2012.

The MIAA Network features all 15 teams in the conference at least once in nine games and both Central Oklahoma and Nebraska-Kearney have two games selected for broadcast, not bad for two of the new kids on the MIAA football block.

Appropriately enough, the Pittsburg State Gorillas host the first televised game Sept. 8 when the Bronchos of Central Oklahoma are welcomed to the Jungle for the first time as MIAA foe by the defending national champions.

Pitt State will recognize its 25th anniversary Hall of Fame class — Ryan Keith, Wes Baker, B.J. McGivern, Maria (Guerrero) Murrison, Larry Garman, Homer Cole and Harry McDonald — at halftime and the Gorillas play their first game on their new Mondoturf playing surface.

The Gorillas and the Bronchos are scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Carnie Smith Stadium.

In other televised games, Nebraska-Kearney visits Missouri Western on Sept. 15, Central Oklahoma hosts Washburn Sept. 22, Northwest Missouri hosts Northeastern State Sept. 29, Nebraska-Kearney hosts Truman State Oct. 6, Fort Hays State visits Southwest Baptist Oct. 13, Fort Hays State hosts Lincoln Oct. 20, Missouri Western visits Emporia State Oct. 25 and Lindenwood hosts Missouri Southern Oct. 27.

There’s one game notably absent from the MIAA TV ledger — The Fall Classic XI at Arrowhead Stadium, Oct. 13 between the Gorillas and the Northwest Missouri Bearcats, two of the premier football programs in Division II.

In a classic game last season, No. 15 Pitt State overcame 21-0 and 28-6 deficits for a 38-35 win over the No. 1 Bearcats on a 26-yard field goal by Chase McCoy as time expired. Zac Dickey accounted for over 300 yards of total offense and two touchdowns — one passing, one rushing — and John Brown snagged eight passes for 182 yards and two scores, including a 56-yard pass from his fellow receiver, Andrew Castaneda.

Southwest Baptist and Fort Hays State finished a combined 10-12 last year.

The flex games will be determined for their interest level to MIAA fans — meaning games with championship implications or intense rivalries like Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern in the Sonic Miner’s Bowl.

Pitt State hosts Lindenwood on Nov. 3 and the Gorillas and the Lions play the Sonic Miner’s Bowl on Nov. 10, a game hosted by the Lions at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
In addition, Truman State and Central Missouri play one of the six Div. II games featured on the CBS Sports Network. The Bulldogs and the Mules have met 96 previous times — both schools are MIAA founding members and Truman State will be leaving the MIAA for the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2013. Truman State and Central Missouri clash Sept. 20.

2012 MIAA Television Network football schedule
September 8 — Central Oklahoma at Pittsburg State, 6 p.m.
September 15 — Nebraska-Kearney at Missouri Western, 6 p.m.
September 22 — Washburn at Central Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m.
September 29 — Northeastern State at Northwest Missouri, 2:30 p.m.
October 6 — Truman at Nebraska-Kearney, 2:30 p.m.
October 13 — Fort Hays State at Southwest Baptist, 2:30 p.m.
October 20 — Lincoln at Fort Hays State, 2:30 p.m.
October 25 — Missouri Western at Emporia State, 6 p.m.
October 27 — Missouri Southern at Lindenwood, 2:30 p.m.
November 3 — TBA, 2:30 p.m.
November 10 — TBA, 2:30 p.m.

2012 CBS Sports Network Division II football schedule
Sept. 6 — Bowie State at Benedict
Sept. 13 — Texas A&M-Commerce vs. Midwestern State
Sept. 20 — Truman State at Central Missouri
Sept. 27 — Wingate at Carson-Newman
Oct. 11 — Wayne State (Mich.) at Saginaw Valley State
Oct. 18 — New Haven at Stonehill

2012 Pittsburg State football schedule
Aug. 30 — at Northeastern State (Okla.), 6 p.m.
Sept. 8 — vs. Central Oklahoma, 7 p.m. (Hall of Fame Game)
Sept. 15 — at Southwest Baptist, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22 — vs. Lincoln, 7 p.m. (Family Day)
Oct. 6 — vs. Central Missouri, 2 p.m.
Oct. 13 — vs. Northwest Missouri, 2 p.m. (Fall Classic at Arrowhead XI)
Oct. 20 — vs. Missouri Western, 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 27 — at Truman State, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3 — vs. Lindenwood, 2 p.m.
Nov. 10 — at Missouri Southern, 2 p.m. (Sonic Miner’s Bowl)