The University of Kansas football program is busily searching for a new opponent to play on Saturday, September 5th, after the announcement from the previously scheduled foe, the University of New Hampshire, saying that UNH has suspended fall competition due to COVID-19.
KU Athletic Director Jeff Long said in response, “Earlier today New Hampshire Director of Athletics Marty Scarano informed us that they will not be playing football this fall. KU, along with the Big 12, are continuing our efforts to play a full non-conference and conference football schedule this fall. We have begun exploring all opportunities to fill the opening on our schedule that was created by New Hampshire and will provide an update when available.”
Kansas is not alone in looking for ways to fill a Week 1 hole created by the pandemic. At the powerhouse Alabama program, the Crimson Tide had their highly-anticipated opener with the USC Trojans in Arlington, Texas cancelled after USC’s conference, the Pac-12, cancelled all non-conference football games for the 2020 season.
The Tide may add a non-conference opponent already scheduled to host the SEC’s Missouri Tigers in October, as AL.com’s Matt Zenitz, citing sources, indicates that Alabama and BYU are “closing in” on an agreement to play one another in Week 1. BYU, like Alabama, had a hole develop in the schedule after the Cougars bitter in-state rival, Utah, had to cancel its “Holy War” contest due to the Pac-12’s ruling. The Crimson Tide and Cougars have not met since 1998.
