Rice Football will delay the start of its 2020 season. Originally scheduled to start on September 3, Rice hopes to begin on September 26.
The non-conference portion of the 2020 Rice Football season has been canceled. The Owls will push back the start of their season to September 26. That effectively cancels games against Houston and Army, both of which Rice hopes to reschedule in the future. That could include a game later in the 2020 season should the schools have open dates for one reason or another.
If things hold, Rice will begin their 2020 season at home against Lamar on September 26.
Several FCS conferences have halted all football this fall, but the Southland Conference hasn’t announced cancelations to that degree, yet.
If that game is canceled, Rice would move to a conference-only schedule, beginning on October 3 at Marshall.
Athletic Director Joe Karlgaard released this statement:
Our student athletes are driven to compete at the highest levels and work very hard to realize their full athletic potential. Our decisions are guided by an understanding that while we crave competition, we have a responsibility for the safety and health – both short and long term – of our student athletes, coaches, staff and everyone in the Rice community. We must assure that the measures and protections in place are consistent with the overall posture of the university.
This decision comes in the wake of several broad sweeping cancelations. The MAC and the Mountain West Conferences have canceled all football this fall. Conference USA member Old Dominion has also announced the will not play this season.
So many questions remain unanswered. The ramifications of these decisions will continue to impact college football and Rice for years to come.
Whether there are sports this fall or not, there’s going to be plenty to process as everyone works to find a new equilibrium in college sports. Stay current on those updates and following the always-active recruiting cycle by subscribing to The Roost on Patreon today.
