The maiden game was played at Gainesville's City Park Complex on Saturday, December 8, 1973, between Stephen F. Austin and Gardner–Webb.
The Lumberjacks' mobile quarterback Larry Mayer scored one touchdown and set up others.
The halftime score was 10–3, but Stephen F. Austin dominated the second half, featuring long runs by Mayer, tailback John Reece and fullback Bill Tyler.
The game was played the following year at the historic World War Memorial Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina.
In 1974, Dennis Haglin took over the position of head coach at Guilford from Henry Vansant, who had resigned.