Virginia-Lynchburg to play four FCS opponents in 2025

By Kevin Kelley - February 1, 2025

The Virginia-Lynchburg Dragons will play four Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponents in 2025, the school announced Saturday.

Virginia University of Lynchburg (VUL) is a private Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that is located in Lynchburg, Va. The Dragons are a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).

According to the schedule, Virginia-Lynchburg will open the 2025 season on the road against the Valparaiso Beacons of the Pioneer Football League on Saturday, Aug. 30. VUL previously announced this contest via its X (formerly Twitter) account last month.

On Oct. 18, the Dragons will travel to face the Morgan State Bears of the MEAC. We previously reported this matchup last fall via an open records request.

Virginia-Lynchburg’s final two contests against FCS teams next season were both previously unannounced. The Dragons will travel to face the Texas Southern Tigers of the SWAC on Saturday, Oct. 18 and the Sacred Heart Pioneers, an FCS Independent, on Saturday, Nov. 8.

The 2025 season will be the fourth for the Dragons under head coach Tim Newman. The Dragons went 0-10 in his first season at the helm, and improved their record to 2-9 in 2023 and 2-8 in 2024.

Schedule for 2025 football season for Virginia University of Lynchburg pic.twitter.com/bU9Ko92zQr

— VUL Football (@FootballVul) February 1, 2025

View Comments (12)

Comments (12)

Coming soon: Virginia-Lynchburg vs Michigan State

That something I would like to see Virginia-Lynchburg vs Illinois & Virginia Lynchburg vs Northwestern.

Just want to let you know Joseph that Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan & any team that plays at 3:30PM including Michigan State airing on CBS are My quad favorite Big Ten Teams.

Have a safe & happy day Joseph.

Quad-favorite Big Ten teams?

And you think Z-Man is a problem?

Good Lord… It’s bad enough to have a favorite Big Ten team, much less FOUR favorite Big Ten teams. Even worse when one is just whoever happens to be playing at 3:30 on a random Saturday.

You need to get out more.

I would really like Z-Man to become a happier & more satisfied person than being so unhappy & unsatisfied & if he wants to be a real college football fan he needs to respect, appreciate & enjoy game instead of gripe, gripe, gripe.

We may not be the best of friends however I really care about Z-Man & keep in mind he is severely Autistic.

Real college football fans don’t have four favorite Big Ten teams.

Real college football fans aren’t just a fan of whoever plays at 3:30.

Real college football fans don’t force their opinions on others.

You do all of those things.

I am a fan choice of CFB games on any given Saturday during Fall especially during 3:30PM-4:00PM time slot.

If Fans want to watch Wisconsin-Michigan on CBS that is excellent

If Fans want to watch Kentucky-Georgia on ABC that is excellent

If Fans want to watch Iowa State-Oklahoma State on FOX that is excellent

If Fans want to watch Bosie State-Notre Dame on NBC that is excellent

I think of other CFB Fans & not myself.

Regardless of the level/division, having just two home games (in back to back weeks no less) is tough and even tougher to build your local fan base if not playing at home. All understandable given VUL’s situation but not a sustainable model for long term success.

There are a lot of issues at VUL, the least of which are how many home games they have.

They’ve had accreditation issues in the past and faced criticism for the lack of competitiveness of their football team. Maybe it’s best they travel a lot.

@HeyArnold! Indeed, the schedule is just a microcosm / reflection of all those issues for both the school and athletic department. The travel schedule shows VULs football economic situation is bleak considering they cannot expect to sustain program interest if having to be on the road all over multiple seasons. Time will tell if they’re able to recover.