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USF football’s home opener appears in peril

Bethune-Cookman, the Bulls' Sept. 12 opponent, is expected to have its season canceled.
 
USF senior cornerback Mike Hampton (7) and the Bulls were set to face Bethune-Cookman in their Sept. 12 home opener at Raymond James Stadium. Bethune-Cookman isn't expected to play football this fall due to COVID-19 concerns.
USF senior cornerback Mike Hampton (7) and the Bulls were set to face Bethune-Cookman in their Sept. 12 home opener at Raymond James Stadium. Bethune-Cookman isn't expected to play football this fall due to COVID-19 concerns. [ OCTAVIO JONES | Times ]
Published July 16, 2020|Updated July 16, 2020

Any lingering hope of USF playing a full football schedule in 2020 appeared to be vanquished with Thursday’s report that the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is canceling fall sports.

Kenn Rashad of hbcusports.com first reported the cancellations. The Bulls are scheduled to face Bethune-Cookman, a MEAC school, in their Sept. 12 home opener. Another MEAC team, Florida A&M, is slated to play at UCF on Nov. 7.

The news also signals at least a one-year hiatus for the annual Florida Classic between B-CU and FAMU, one of the most prominent rivalries among historically Black colleges and universities. The contest, held in Tampa from 1978-96, has been played in Orlando every year since ’97.

The status of USF’s three other non-conference games (Sept. 5 at Texas, Sept. 19 vs. Nevada, Sept. 26 at FAU) remains unclear. The American Athletic Conference hasn’t determined whether it will go to a conference-only schedule ― an option already chosen by the Big Ten and Pac-12 ― though Commissioner Mike Aresco announced a COVID protocol Thursday.

Should a football season be staged, AAC teams will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing at least 72 hours before competition. The protocol will apply throughout the regular and bowl seasons.

Testing and operational protocols for Olympic sports are being finalized, Aresco said.

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