The Jacksonville University football barely missed the FCS playoffs last season and in an effort to enhance its chances at post season play, upgraded the 2011 schedule. The first test comes in the opener on Saturday.
The Dolphins, defending Pioneer Football League co-champions, travel to Charleston, S.C., to take on The Citadel Bulldogs of the Southern Conference. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
"We're ready to get on the field and play,'' JU head coach Kerwin Bell said. "We've had a very good camp and from top to bottom this is the best roster we've started with in the five years we've been here.''
JU, 10-1 last season and 8-0 in the PFL, will be playing its fifth consecutive season opener on the road and have won the last three debuts. For the first time, the Dolphins have recorded three consecutive winning seasons and are 26-9 in that span.
Senior quarterback Josh McGregor, a Walter Payton Award candidate, is expected to lead the offense. He holds all school passing records and threw for 3,049 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.
