• August 25 — Texas A&M-Commerce at Pittsburg State (2:30 p.m. Eastern time)
• September 27 — Mars Hill at Catawba (8 p.m. Eastern time)
• October 18 — Chadron State at Nebraska-Kearney (8 p.m. Eastern time)
• November 1 — South Dakota at Nebraska -Omaha (8 p.m. Eastern time)

“Our partnership with CSTV pays dividends that are much broader than simply increasing our television viewership in football and basketball,” said Division II Presidents Council Chair Charles Ambrose, president of Pfeiffer University. “We are fortunate to have found a media partner who understands not only how to capture the excitement and competitiveness of our contests, but also understands what Division II is all about. The commitment CSTV has made through its television and online platforms has allowed Division II to stand up — and stand out.”

Pittsburg State Athletics Director and head football coach Chuck Broyles said the chance to kick off the season in front of a national audience was a unique opportunity for his institution.

Division II-CSTV national games at a glance

• Regional sport network syndication: Altitude Sports and Enter­tainment, Metro Sports, FSN Southwest
• Pittsburg State returns 18 starters (nine offense, nine de­fense) from a 2006 team that went 10-2 and beat Bemidji State in the Mineral Water Bowl. The Gorillas have made 15 trips to the Division II playoffs since joining the division in 1989, including the championship in 1991 and runner-up finishes in 1992, 1995 and 2004.
• Texas A&M-Commerce returns seven starters from the 2006 squad that went 5-5 and lost four games by a combined 20 points. The Lions last went to the Division II playoffs in 1995.
• The two teams have met six times previously, with Pittsburg State wining five, including twice in the postseason.

• Regional sport network syndication: FSN South
• The national television broadcast of South Atlantic Conference rivals is the first for Mars Hill and the first for Catawba at home. “It will be a special night to be able to show millions across the nation the great college football atmosphere at Shuford Stadium,” said Catawba Athletics Director Dennis Davidson.
• Catawba had 11 players named to the 2007 SAC preseason team, including 2006 league defensive player of the year Ron Ellington. Mars Hill had eight selections, including first-team linebacker Nathaniel Smith and defensive back Rashawn Champion.
• Mars Hill Athletics Director David Riggins said the live broadcast presents an opportunity to reach untapped markets. “It also is a great opportunity to exhibit the quality of football played in the SAC. I am happy that our players and coaches will have the opportunity to represent, in such a meaningful way, our institution, our conference, and NCAA DII football,” Riggins said.

Chadron State at Nebraska-Kearney

• Regional sport network syndication: Altitude Sports and Entertainment, Nebraska Television NET (all of Nebraska and portions of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota)
• Nine of the last 13 games between the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rivals have been decided by a touchdown or less. Last year, Chadron State overcame a 10-7 halftime deficit to claim a 31-12 victory and went on to win the RMAC.
• Chadron State, 12-1 in 2006, features senior running back and 2006 Harlon Hill winner Danny Woodhead, college football’s first 2,700-yard rusher. Also back are quarterback Joe McLain and all but one of the 11 players who caught passes last season.
• Nebraska-Kearney, which went 6-4 and 5-3 in the RMAC a year ago, is projected as a league contender this year. Senior outside linebacker Nick Oberle is a two-time all-RMAC selection.

• Regional sport network syndication: Nebraska Television NET (all of Nebraska and portions of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota)
• Nebraska-Omaha is playing its final year in the North Central Conference before moving to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in 2009. In what Nebraska-Omaha Athletics Director David Miller calls “a great opportunity to showcase our campus, stadium and what should be a great football game,” the Mavericks will rely on junior quarterback Zach Miller, who ran for 1,098 yards and scored a school-record 19 touchdowns last season.
• Both teams are projected among the top 10 in at least one national preseason poll. South Dakota, which finished 9-4 and advanced to the second round of the Division II playoffs last year, is led by senior center Christian Morton, a first-team preseason all-America pick and the reigning Rimington Award winner as the top center in Division II in 2006.
• This will be the 50th match-up between the two teams, with South Dakota owning a 25-23-1 advantage. The Coyotes have won the last two games after breaking a nine-game losing streak in 2005.