The Mercyhurst Lakers have announced their 2025 football schedule, which includes five home contests among 12 total games.
Mercyhurst moved up from Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) last fall and played its first season in the Northeast Conference (NEC). Following a four-year reclassification period, Mercyhurst will attain its full membership status in 2028-29 and will be eligible for the FCS Playoffs at that time.
Mercyhurst opens the 2025 season on the road on Thursday, Aug. 28 against the Youngstown State Penguins. The following week on Saturday, Sept. 6, Mercyhurst opens its home slate at Saxon Stadium in Erie, Pa., against the New Haven Chargers, who officially join the NEC this summer.
The Lakers will then travel for three consecutive road contests against the Sacramento State Hornets on Sept. 13, Montana State Bobcats on Sept. 20, and South Dakota Jackrabbits on Sept. 27.
Mercyhurst opens NEC action at home on Oct. 4 against the LIU Sharks, which will be Homecoming weekend in Erie. Other league opponents slated to visit Saxon Stadium this fall include Duquesne on Oct. 18, Stonehill on Oct. 25, and Robert Morris on Nov. 15.
The Lakers will travel to face NEC foes Wagner on Oct. 11, Saint Francis U. on Nov. 8, and Central Connecticut on Nov. 22.
Below is Mercyhurst’s complete schedule for the 2025 season, plus a link to their schedule page which will be updated with kickoff times and TV as they are announced:
2025 Mercyhurst Football Schedule
08/28 – at Youngstown State
09/06 – New Haven
09/13 – at Sacramento State
09/20 – at Montana State
09/27 – at South Dakota State
10/04 – LIU*
10/11 – at Wagner*
10/18 – Duquesne*
10/25 – Stonehill*
11/01 – OFF
11/08 – at Saint Francis U.*
11/15 – Robert Morris*
11/22 – at Central Connecticut*
* NEC contest.
Mercyhurst finished the 2024 season 4-7 overall. The Lakers are entering their fourth season under head coach Ryan Riemedio, who has an 8-24 overall record at the school.
Go Mercyhurst Lakers in 2025!!!
Go Chicago State Cougars in 2026!!!
Those four OOC away games: Can we presume they are one-offs? with paydays from (perhaps) $60K to $120K?
We know Saint Francis, which is moving down to D3 after 25-26 is not paying for a game.
By rule, if you are playing an away game with no return date, there is a payment due per the contract drawn up between the participants. Bozeman is not going to play a game at Mercyhurst, but that should be a game that attracts at least 12K in Bobcat Stadium, so you might see a little more than your $120K in return. Saint Francis probably isn’t worth the $60 you’re asking for at the end of the day, but you have to live with being a team earing your way in here. Sac State and So Dak State should be good as well, but you have to pay to go to Brookings, SD, which means at best you fly into Sioux Falls and then bus from there. The best hope is that you get D-III Saint Francis to pay a visit because Sac State is moving up to FBS next year and you can’t expect the bunnies to leave the hutch to go to Erie either.
More importantly, my over and under on the win/loss for Mercyhurst is a hard 1. Even in the NEC, you’ll be lucky to get a win.
Also, New Haven’s games don’t count in the NEC standings, so that is almost a nonconference game too since they aren’t playing a full NEC schedule and they have three games against lower level teams.
NEC fans, keep believing the state of this mess is strong! You’re only going to attract the talent level that surrounds you. I hope the games against the Big Sky and Missouri Valley give you some help and that you get out of there without too many injuries.
well,, SFU is a conf. game this one final time…I was referring to the Aug & Sept. away games.
They will struggle, but they can get there—we gotta be patient with the Lakers. But, yes you are right, if you don’t get a return game, you have to pony $$$.
Thanks for explaining this!
John I am A Fan of giving CFB teams that comes to a new conference like Mercyhurst & I wish Lakers the very best.
Excellent post!!!