Presbyterian Blue Hose football

Last updated

Presbyterian Blue Hose football
AmericanFootball current event.svg 2024 Presbyterian Blue Hose football team
Presbyterian Blue Hose logo.png
First season 1913; 112 years ago
Athletic directorDee Nichols
Head coach Steve Englehart
3rd season, 11–23 (.324)
Stadium Bailey Memorial Stadium
(capacity: 6,500)
Field surface Grass
Location Clinton, South Carolina
NCAA division Division I FCS
Conference Pioneer Football League
All-time record50948135 (.514)
Bowl record01 (.000)
Conference titles1 (SAC, 2005)
Rivalries Newberry Wolves
(Bronze Derby)
ColorsBlue and garnet [1]
   
Website GoBlueHose.com

The Presbyterian Blue Hose football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Presbyterian College located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS); while Presbyterian is a full member of the Big South Conference, it plays football in the Pioneer Football League. Presbyterian's first football team was fielded in 1913. The team plays its home games at the 6,500 seat Bailey Memorial Stadium in Clinton, South Carolina. The Blue Hose were coached by Kevin Kelley, who was hired to lead the program on May 6, 2021, [2] but who left at the end of the season. The current coach is Steve Englehart. The Blue Hose began a transition to non-scholarship football in 2017 and left Big South football after the 2019 season, while otherwise remaining a full Big South member. The Blue Hose football program played the 2020–21 season as an independent and joined the Pioneer League in July 2021 upon completion of its transition.

Contents

History

The Presbyterian Blue Hose name originates from the blue stockings the players wore in the early 1900s. [3]

Classifications

Conference memberships

See also List of Presbyterian Blue Hose football seasons

Presbyterian vs. in-state NCAA Division I schools

SchoolRecordPercentageStreakFirst MeetingLast Meeting
Charleston Southern 14–10.583Lost 219932016
Clemson 3–33–4.125Lost 1519162010
Coastal Carolina 1–9.100Lost 920072016
Furman 13–42–1.223Won 119132014
South Carolina 3–12.200Lost 819151945
South Carolina State 0–2.000Lost 219891990
The Citadel 11–50–1.185Lost 1219152010
Wofford 41–40–3.506Won 119142023
Presbyterian 85 – In-State NCAA Division I Schools 198 – Ties 9

Notable former players

Playoff appearances

NCAA Division II

The Blue Hose made one appearances in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.

YearRoundOpponentResult
2005 Second Round Central Arkansas L, 28–52

NAIA

The Blue Hose appeared in the NAIA playoffs two times. Their combined record was 2–2.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1979 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Saginaw Valley State
Central State (OK)
W, 36–3
L, 6–28
1987 First Round
Quarterfinals
Concord
Pittsburg State
W, 57–0
L, 21–42

Bowl games

Presbyterian has participated in one bowl game, with the Blue Hose having a record of 0–1

SeasonCoachBowlOpponentResult
1959 Frank Jones Tangerine Bowl Middle Tennessee L 12–21

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of March 27, 2025. [5]

202520262027
at Mercer at Western Carolina at Murray State
at Furman
Erksine
Bluefield

References

  1. Presbyterian College Brand Standards Guide (PDF). Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  2. "Presbyterian hiring anti-punting HS coach Kelley". ESPN.com. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  3. "Traditions & Mission". Presbyterian College. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023. What's a Blue Hose? It began in the early 1900s when sportswriters referred to the Presbyterian College sports teams as the "Blue Stockings" because of the blue socks (or hose) they wore. ... "The sports nickname was shortened to 'Blue Hose' in 1954," Hammet wrote, "presumably under the assumption that it sounded somewhat fiercer to carry onto the field of athletic battle." These days it also stands for fierce Scottish warriors, giving a nod to the College's Scottish heritage.
  4. "Tribute to a Champion - the Bob Waters' Legacy Western Carolina's legendary football coach and administrator from 1969-88". Western Carolina. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  5. "Presbyterian Blue Hose Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved March 27, 2025.