Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University football program has finalized its 2021 varsity schedule. The Carroll Pioneers will return to the field after a year-long absence due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This will mark head coach Mike Budziszewski's first season as a head coach.
 
The Pioneers begin their season against the Eagles of Benedictine University on Sept. 11, 2021. The Pioneers' all-time record against Benedictine is 4-1, including winning the last four in a row. The last time Carroll faced Benedictine was in 2015, and the Pios went on to win 21-13.
 
Carroll opens home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 1 PM with a matchup with the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan. IWU finished tied for third in the CCIW in 2019 with a record of 6-3. Other home matchups this season include battles against North Central College, Wheaton College, and Carthage College. North Central returns to the gridiron after claiming the first National Championship title in program history in 2019. Wheaton, the CCIW Champions of 2019, finished the year with a 9-0 conference record before falling to St. Johns in the NCAA Football Championship Quarterfinals. The annual rifle game against the Firebirds of Carthage will be the final home game of the season, scheduled for November 6, at 1 PM.
 
The Pioneers have five road CCIW contests scheduled, beginning with coach Budziszewski's former team, Millikin University on Sept. 25 at 6 PM. Additional road games this season take place at North Park, Augustana, Washington University in St. Louis, and Elmhurst.
 
All home contests will have live stats and live streams available from gopios.com/football. Road contest stats and videos will be updated upon availability.