JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven football team is set to begin a new era with the home opener inside the newly renovated Belhaven Bowl Stadium on Saturday against 17th-ranked East Texas Baptist at 1 p.m.

For the first time in program history this Saturday, the Belhaven football team will play a home game on campus. The Belhaven Bowl Stadium will open for the first time for the Blazers game versus East Texas Baptist. 

Located in the heart of the Belhaven University campus, this historic venue has undergone a $4 million transformation, including installation of a custom turf playing surface, comfortable chair-back seating for 1,200 and a state of-the-art Daktronics video board. Blazers football now joins men's and women's soccer at home, in the center of it all.

This matchup with East Texas Baptist, coming in at No. 17 in the D3Football.Com Top 25 Poll, marks the third consecutive game against teams ranked. The Blazers had a bye last week but fell to No. 19 Huntingdon College, 65-21, the previous week.

Similarly to the week two loss at No. 2 Wisconsin-Whitewater, Belhaven played No. 19 Huntingdon close through a quarter and a half. Hunter McEachern threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Shief and Clayton Webb connected with Jaquay Daniels for a 41-yard touchdown strike to make it a 17-14 game in favor of the Hawks midway through the second quarter. But Huntingdon closed the first half with 21 unanswered points and outscored the Blazers 27-7 in the second half to take a 65-21 win over the Green and Gold.

This Saturday, the Blazers will be wearing pink for Tackle A Cure. Prior to kickoff, the Blazers will honor two Breast Cancer survivors: Flora Crosby Smith, aunt of RaShun Smith and Katie Hughes-Jamison, aunt of Ashlen McCain. 

Saturday's home opener is also Family Weekend on campus. As part of the weekend's festivities, families will be able to tailgate on campus and also have the chance to be an honorary captain prior to kickoff.

In this first season in the Bowl Stadium, seating will be complimentary (free) for all fans – students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, friends and neighbors.  No tickets needed!  Home seating is located on the west side of the stadium and visitor seating is located on the east side of the stadium.

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