More FCS Games Canceled by SEC, NEC Decisions

The FCS level takes another hit this week after decisions by the Southeastern Conference and Northeast Conference led to more cancellations.

The SEC will reportedly shift to a 10-game, conference only schedule, which will not only cause cancellations but may also impact the athletic departments of the schools playing SEC programs this season. An additional 12 games featuring FCS teams against SEC opposition have been canceled with those contests listed below. The SEC Presidents voted to adopt the 10-game, conference only schedule on Thursday afternoon.

DateAwayHome
9/5Abilene ChristianTexas A&M
9/5Central ArkansasMissouri
9/5Eastern WashingtonFlorida
9/5MercerVanderbilt
9/12East Tennessee StateGeorgia
9/12Southeast Missouri StateMississippi
9/19FurmanTennessee
10/3Charleston SouthernArkansas
10/3NichollsLSU
10/10Eastern IllinoisKentucky
11/14Tennessee MartinAlabama
11/21WoffordSouth Carolina

The NEC is also reportedly canceling fall sports including football. An additional 41 games featuring NEC teams have been canceled are listed below. The Northeast Conference confirmed the postponement of fall sports on Wednesday evening.

DateAwayHome
9/5DuquesneAir Force
9/5Long IslandMontana State
9/5WagnerCentral Connecticut State
9/12DuquesneYoungstown State
9/12Sacred HeartLong Island
9/12St. FrancisBuffalo
9/19MerrimackWagner
9/19DuquesneCoastal Carolina
9/19St. FrancisSacred Heart
9/26BryantCentral Michigan
9/26Central Connecticut StateToledo
9/26MerrimackSt. Francis
9/26Virginia LynchburgDuquesne
10/3DuquesneCentral Connecticut State
10/3Long IslandBryant
10/3St. FrancisRobert Morris
10/10Long IslandMerrimack
10/10BryantSt. Francis
10/10Robert MorrisDuquesne
10/17DuquesneWagner
10/17MerrimackSacred Heart
10/17Central Connecticut StateSt. Francis
10/17Robert MorrisLong Island
10/24Virginia LynchburgMerrimack
10/24Central Connecticut StateBryant
10/24Sacred HeartDuquesne
10/24WagnerRobert Morris
10/31St. FrancisWagner
10/31Long IslandDuquesne
10/31BryantSacred Heart
11/7Sacred HeartCentral Connecticut State
11/7WagnerLong Island
11/7MerrimackBryant
11/14Sacred HeartWagner
11/14BryantDuquesne
11/14Central Connecticut StateRobert Morris
11/14St. FrancisLong Island
11/21DuquesneSt. Francis
11/21Long IslandCentral Connecticut State
11/21Robert MorrisSacred Heart
11/21WagnerBryant

The two newest additions to the FCS level are also hard by the cancellations. The following four games involving Dixie State and Tarleton State are no longer happening.

DateAwayHome
9/12Western New MexicoDixie State
9/19Texas-Permian BasinTarleton State
10/3Eastern New MexicoTarleton State
11/7Western ColoradoDixie State

Western Colorado is part of the Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, which moved to a conference only schedule. The move also claimed the Fort LewisNorthern Colorado contest for the upcoming season.

Western New Mexico, Texas-Permian Basin, and Eastern New Mexico all play in the Division II Lone Star Conference, which delayed the start of fall competition until September 21 at the earliest. Eastern New Mexico subsequently decided they will not have sporting events this fall.

Two other games – Texas A&M-Kingsville and Midwestern State – are also uncertain though not yet canceled. Both teams are also part of the Lone Star Conference but no decision has been made on whether they will complete the games or if the LSC will adopt a conference only schedule.

One final change was that of Idaho State and New Mexico’s game scheduled for Week Zero. Originally scheduled for Saturday, August 29, their game is now scheduled for Saturday, September 19.

Up next is the Big 12’s impending decision on how to approach the season. Spoiler: it does not look good for the FCS teams if Brett McMurphy’s report comes to fruition. A total of 431 games involving FCS teams have been canceled or postponed as of this writing.

Photo courtesy of Wagner College Athletics.

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