Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst football program officially announces their schedule for the 2024 season, tallying a total of 11 games for the new year. In their first season as a Division I program, the Lakers look to make a big splash and make their presence felt on the gridiron.

Mercyhurst opens their season on the road as they head to Wheeling, WV to see Wheeling on August 29th, hoping to get their season started on the right foot. They then play their first game against a Division I foe the following week when they go to Washington, DC to see Howard on Saturday, September 7th, marking a major day in program history. They then follow up with a contest with Robert Morris the following weekend on September 14th for their first of four games against NEC opponents. The team wraps up their longest road trip of the season and their longest since 2011 when they head to Montana State. Mercyhurst will take on the Bobcats in their third contest of September on the 21st for the team's first game west of the Mississippi River ever.

"It's very exciting times on the hill as we transition to Division I," said Head Coach Ryan Riemedio. "It opens new doors for the university, our program, the city of Erie, and our region. It gives us the opportunity to level up in so many different ways. #CarpeD1em"

The team plays their long-awaited home opener in their final contest of September with the team hosting Frostburg State on the 28th. They then open October with their second-straight home game on the 5th when they see Buffalo State. Their matchup with the Tigers will prove to be a major game for the Lakers with October 5th serving as homecoming for Mercyhurst.

"When you are on the road the first four games of the season that is never an easy task," said Riemdio when asked about the start of the season. "but will be exciting to get back home for week 5 and 6 in front of our home crowd, alumni, and fans!"

The Lakers get into the tick of their Northeast Conference schedule the following week when they go back out on the road. The team will make the trip to see Central Connecticut on October 12th, looking to announce their presence to the rest of the conference. After a bye week in the middle of October they then go on to play their second-straight road game against Sacred Heart on the 26th.

November opens with the final road game of the year for the Lakers with the team going to Pittsburgh, Pa. to see Duquesne on the 2nd before coming home for their remaining two games. 

Riemedio added, "The Northeast Conference has a long history of great universities, academic standards and competitive athletic programs. I'm excited about joining and being a part of the NEC."

Mercyhurst comes back home on the 9th to play host to Lincoln (Ca.) before ending things against Saint Francis on the 23rd with the team's second by week of the year being sandwiched in between those home games.