If you’ve ever stood on the sidelines at Hardee-McGee Field, you know it’s not just about the final score. It’s the fog rolling over the Cumberland Plateau and the sound of the "Tiger Yell" echoing through the trees. But let's be real—when you're looking for the University of the South football schedule, you want the cold, hard details of who they played and how those Saturdays actually went down.
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster. Honestly, it was a year defined by grit, some seriously tough Southern Athletic Association (SAA) matchups, and a massive coaching shakeup that caught a lot of people off guard.
The 2025 University of the South Football Schedule and Results
The Tigers kicked things off with a bang. They traveled up to West Virginia to face Bethany College on September 6 and absolutely dismantled them 41-6. It felt like the start of something big.
Then came the home opener. Family Weekend against Brevard College.
Usually, the atmosphere at McGee Field is electric for the first home game, but Brevard played spoiler, handing Sewanee a 10-26 loss. The team bounced back the following week, though. They shut out North Carolina Wesleyan 33-0 on the road. At that point, the Tigers were 2-1 and looking like a real threat.
But conference play is a different animal.
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The SAA is notorious for being top-heavy with powerhouses like Trinity and Berry. Once October hit, the schedule got brutal.
- October 4: vs. Maryville College (Loss, 7-40) – This was Hall of Fame Weekend, and unfortunately, the Tigers couldn't find the end zone until it was too late.
- October 11: at Southwestern University (Loss, 31-39) – A high-scoring heartbreaker in Texas.
- October 18: vs. #22 Berry College (Loss, 7-44) – Berry is just a machine lately.
- October 25: at Rhodes College (Win, 28-6) – The Orgill Cup! This is the one that matters. Beating Rhodes in Memphis is always the season highlight.
The momentum from the Rhodes win didn't last, though. The final stretch was rough. They fell to #22 Trinity (3-32) during Homecoming, got shut out by Centre (0-28) on Senior Day, and ended the year with a 20-34 loss at Millsaps.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The Tigers finished 3-7 overall and 1-6 in the SAA. If you look at the stats, Barton Mixon was a workhorse on the ground, racking up nearly 800 yards. Cam Beasley and Jacorin Thomas both spent time under center, but the offense struggled to stay consistent when they got into the red zone.
Defensively, they had moments of brilliance, especially in the North Carolina Wesleyan shutout, but the big plays from SAA opponents were just too much to handle over four quarters.
Why the Coaching Change Matters
Everything changed in November.
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After three seasons at the helm, Andy McCollum was relieved of his duties on November 10, 2025. This was a guy with a huge resume—former head coach at MTSU and a longtime assistant at Georgia Tech. He brought a lot of "big time" energy to the Mountain, but the wins just weren't stacking up fast enough.
Tracy Malone stepped in as the interim to finish out the year.
Since then, things have been moving fast. The University recently brought in some fresh blood, adding Graham as the new offensive coordinator and Gosch as the defensive coordinator in early 2026. They're clearly trying to reinvent the "Sewanee way" of football. It’s a tough balance. You’ve got the rigorous academics of a top-tier liberal arts school mixed with the desire to be competitive in a conference that is basically the "SEC of Division III."
The "Battle of the Bluffs" Era
One cool thing that happened this year was the launch of the "Battle of the Bluffs."
It’s a new all-sports rivalry competition with Rhodes College. While the football team has played for the Orgill Cup since 1954, this new trophy encompasses everything from golf to track and field. It adds a bit of extra spice to that October matchup.
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Planning Your 2026 Visit to the Mountain
If you're already looking ahead to the next University of the South football schedule, you've gotta plan for the traditions.
Don't just show up for kickoff.
Tailgating at Sewanee is different. People dress up. You’ll see blazers and sundresses mixed in with the purple jerseys. If you’re planning a trip, aim for the Rhodes game or Homecoming. Even if the record isn't perfect, the atmosphere at the oldest stadium in the South is something every football fan should experience at least once.
The 2026 schedule usually drops in late spring or early summer. Expect more SAA battles and hopefully a few more non-conference wins to build some confidence under the new leadership.
What you should do next:
Keep an eye on the official Sewanee Tigers website for the 2026 spring practice dates. If you’re a recruit or a parent, that’s the best time to see the new coaching staff in action. Also, if you’re planning to attend a game this coming fall, book your stay at the Sewanee Inn early—it fills up months in advance for big rivalry weekends.