CARROLLTON, Ga. - The 2024 University of West Georgia football schedule, the first in the Division I era, has been finalized by the Department of Athletics.
 
The inaugural season of Division I football for UWG features six games at University Stadium and five road games, including a near cross-country trek to Cedar City, Utah. West Georgia will play 11 games in total, with 10 being against Division I opponents. 
 
"The University of West Georgia is thrilled to put this inaugural schedule in place for our student-athletes, fans and supporters," commented Director of Athletics Jason Carmichael. "The transition to Division I is moving rapidly, and the ability to put a schedule together in short order is an achievement we are certainly pleased about."
 
West Georgia will welcome Samford to Carrollton in week one, beginning the 2024 campaign on Saturday, Aug. 31, against the Bulldogs. 
 
Week two takes UWG to Abilene, Texas for a non-conference showdown against Abilene Christian on Sept. 7 before United Athletic Conference play begins on the road in week three.
 
"This is an exciting time for our program as we transition to Division I football, joining the UAC," said first-year head coach Joel Taylor. "The United Athletic Conference is a very competitive conference with five teams going 4-2 or better last year."
 
UAC play begins with a test against Eastern Kentucky in Richmond on Sept. 14. The Colonels went 5-6 in 2023, finishing 4-2 in UAC play. 
 
The Wolves return home for their first UAC game in Carrollton on Sept. 21, hosting Tarleton State. That showdown with the Texans will also be the Hall of Fame Game to culminate a weekend celebrating the newest class of UWG Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.
 
Sept. 28 will mark the resumption of a longtime Gulf South Conference rivalry as West Georgia travels to North Alabama to meet with the Lions for the 36th time in program history.
 
West Georgia is back at home the following week on Oct. 5, hosting an FCS playoff team from 2023, Austin Peay. 
 
Next up for UWG is the aforementioned trip to Utah, in which the Wolves take on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on the road on Oct. 12.
 
Homecoming on the UWG campus is set for the following week as the Wolves host the Shorter Hawks on Saturday, Oct. 19, at RA-LIN Field and University Stadium.
 
Following a bye week, the Wolves play back-to-back home games, hosting Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 2 before the final home game of the season against Utah Tech on Nov. 9.
 
The 2024 season concludes on Nov. 16 with a trip to Conway, Arkansas, and a showdown with Central Arkansas.
 
Season ticket deposits are available now and can be made here. Deposits are $25 and are available only for new season ticket holders. Current ticket holders will receive notice of their tickets on Feb. 1. More details will be released on Jan. 15.