Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets football
The Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets football team represents Randolph–Macon College in the sport of American football. In 1969 Randolph–Macon defeated the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut) 47–28 in the inaugural Knute Rockne Bowl laying claim to a shared College Division III National Championship with Wittenberg University (Springfield, Ohio) which had defeated William Jewell College in the first Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. The 4 teams had been chosen by the NCAA to compete in the first ever playoffs established for Division II schools. No complete playoff was set up until 1973. The 1969 football team was inducted into the college's Hall of Fame in 2004. The Yellow Jackets football team is currently coached by Pedro Arruza and won ODAC championships in 2007, 2008, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Going into November of 2013, the football team had posted a record seven seasons with a winning record. The football team plays its home games at Day Field.[2]
| Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets football | |
|---|---|
| First season | 1881 |
| Head coach | Pedro Arruza 21st season, 139–70 (.665) |
| Stadium | Day Field (capacity: 5,000) |
| Year built | 1937 |
| Field surface | Artificial Turf |
| Location | Ashland, Virginia |
| NCAA division | Division III |
| Conference | Old Dominion |
| Bowl record | 2–4 (.333) |
| Claimed national titles | 1 (Div. III): 1969 |
| Rivalries | Hampden-Sydney (rivalry) |
| Colors | Lemon and black[1] |
History
editRandolph-Macon has a rich football history dating back to 1881.[3] Randolph-Macon was also a founding member of the Eastern Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association (originally just the Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association) in 1900, and remained full member of the association until the organization's demise in 1921.
On November 24, 2020, the 1984 football victory over Hampden Sydney was voted the greatest football game in the history of Randolph Macon dating back to 1891. In this game, Randolph Macon’s defense forced five turnovers which allowed the explosive and record breaking offense to score 31 points in a 31–10 victory. This win allowed Randolph Macon to advance to the NCAA playoffs for the first time in the school’s history, finishing the regular season ranked No. 5 in the nation and No. 1 in the NCAA South Region.[4][3] During the historic 1984 season, Randolph Macon wide receiver Keith Gilliam broke the all time NCAA record by having nine consecutive receptions for touchdowns.[5]
Playoffs
editThe Yellow Jackets have made the NCAA Division III playoffs six times, with an overall record of 5–6.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | East Regional championship | Bridgeport | W, 47–28 |
| 1984 | First Round | Washington & Jefferson | L, 21–22 |
| 2008 | First Round | Mount Union | L, 0–56 |
| 2016 | First Round | Johns Hopkins | L, 21–42 |
| 2018 | First Round Second Round |
John Carroll Muhlenberg |
W, 23–20 L, 6–35 |
| 2022 | First Round Second Round |
Cortland Delaware Valley |
W, 35–28 L, 32–39 |
| 2023 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals |
Christopher Newport Ithaca Johns Hopkins Cortland |
W, 28–20 W, 46–0 W, 39–36 L, 14–49 |
References
edit- ^ Randolph–Macon College Logo & Identity Standards (PDF). Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- ^ "All-Time Division III Football Championship Records" (PDF). NCAA. NCAA.org. pp. 1–15. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
- ^ a b "Randolph-Macon Football History". rmcathletics.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "Fans Vote 1984 H-SC Win as Top Game". rmcathletics.com. November 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "Keith Gilliam '87 (2012)". rmcathletics.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2021.