Presbyterian Blue Hose football
American college football program
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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. The current head coach is Matt Rahl, who was hired in December 2025 to replace Steve Englehart. 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 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.
1st season, 0–0 (–)
| Presbyterian Blue Hose football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| |||
| First season | 1913; 113 years ago | ||
| Athletic director | Dee Nichols | ||
| Head coach | Matt Rahl 1st season, 0–0 (–) | ||
| Location | Clinton, South Carolina | ||
| Stadium | Bailey Memorial Stadium (capacity: 6,500) | ||
| NCAA division | Division I FCS | ||
| Conference | Pioneer Football League | ||
| Colors | Blue and garnet[1] | ||
| All-time record | 534–560–35 (.488) | ||
| Bowl record | 0–1 (.000) | ||
| Conference championships | |||
| SAC: 2005 | |||
| Rivalries | Newberry Wolves (Bronze Derby) | ||
| Website | GoBlueHose.com | ||
History
The Presbyterian Blue Hose name originates from the blue stockings the players wore in the early 1900s.[2]
Classifications
- 1938–1950: NCAA College Division
- 1951–1956: Unknown
- 1957–1969: NAIA
- 1970–1992: NAIA Division I
- 1993–2010: NCAA Division II
- 2011–present: NCAA Division I FCS
Conference memberships
- 1913–1920: Independent
- 1921–1941: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
- 1942–1945: Independent
- 1946–1964: South Carolina Little Three
- 1964–1972: Carolinas Conference
- 1973–1974: NAIA independent
- 1975–2006: South Atlantic Conference
- 2007: NCAA Division II Independent
- 2008–2019: Big South Conference
- 2020: Division I FCS Independent
- Presbyterian played the 2020–21 season in a scheduling agreement with the Pioneer Football League. It was not eligible for the conference title, but was eligible for individual awards and honors.
- 2021–present: Pioneer Football League
Presbyterian vs. in-state NCAA Division I schools
| School | Record | Percentage | Streak | First Meeting | Last Meeting |
| Charleston Southern | 14–10 | .583 | Lost 2 | 1993 | 2016 |
| Clemson | 3–33–4 | .125 | Lost 15 | 1916 | 2010 |
| Coastal Carolina | 1–9 | .100 | Lost 9 | 2007 | 2016 |
| Furman | 13–42–1 | .237 | Won 2 | 1913 | 2025 |
| South Carolina | 3–12 | .200 | Lost 8 | 1915 | 1945 |
| South Carolina State | 0–2 | .000 | Lost 2 | 1989 | 1990 |
| The Citadel | 11–50–1 | .185 | Lost 12 | 1915 | 2010 |
| Wofford | 41–40–3 | .506 | Won 1 | 1914 | 2023 |
| Presbyterian 85 – In-State NCAA Division I Schools 198 – Ties 9 | |||||
Notable former players
- Justin Bethel, cornerback and special teams player for the New England Patriots
- Rock Ya-Sin, cornerback for the Detroit Lions
- Bob Waters, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers[3]
Playoff appearances
NCAA Division II
The Blue Hose made one appearances in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Season | Coach | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Frank Jones | Tangerine Bowl | Middle Tennessee | L 12–21 |
Future non-conference opponents
Announced schedules as of March 17, 2026.[4]
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| UVA Wise | at Murray State |
| at Mercer | |
| at Western Carolina | |