From The Tribune staff reports
LAS CRUCES, N.M.–On Thursday, UAB’s Week 1 opponent, New Mexico State, announced its plan to postpone its 2020 football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Blazers were scheduled to host the Aggies on Sept. 3.
According to reports, UAB is working to fill the vacancy. For now, the team’s first contest is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10 at Miami.
“New Mexico State has informed us that they are postponing fall sports,” said UAB Athletics Director Mark Ingram in a statement. “We are actively looking to replace our 2020 opener at Legion Field. UAB Athletics will share updates as more information becomes available in the near future.”
New Mexico State is the second UAB opponent to cancel, as Old Dominion, who was scheduled to host the Blazers on Nov. 7, recently announced its plan not to play this fall.
With the Big 10, Pac-12, Mid-American and Mountain West Conferences, UConn, UMass and Old Dominion a total of 54 FBS programs have made a similar decisions in recent days. Of 130 FBS programs, 54 will not play this fall, while 76 plan to play.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said NMSU President John Floros. “It was particularly hard for many of us who like college sports, and want to see our Aggies play. But by putting the safety, health and well-being of our student-athletes, our coaches and our staff fist, it became an easy decision to make.”