The University of St. Thomas football team is preparing for it first season as a NCAA Division I program.
But now, they are looking an opponent to fill out their schedule.
Because of COVID protocols, the Tommies' season-opening opponent, St. Francis (Ill.) cannot play in the Sept. 4 game at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.
The game will not be rescheduled.
St. Thomas athletic director Phil Esten says the Tommies are 100 percent vaccinated, so the school is quickly trying to find a different opponent to play on that day, or at a later date.
It's going to be difficult to find an opponent for the first weekend in September, with just about every college football team scheduled to play a season opener.
The Tommies have a bye week on Oct. 23 in their first season in the Pioneer Football League.
St. Thomas is the only PFL team with a bye that week.
As of now, the Tommies open their season with two straight road games; at Michigan Tech on Sept. 11, and at Northern Iowa the following weekend.
Their home opener, and PFL opener, is Sept. 25 against Butler.