Southern Miss changes football schedule again as another player opts out of 2020 season
With news that a fourth player has opted out of the 2020 season, Southern Miss released a revised football schedule for the second time in two weeks on Tuesday.
The home game against Louisiana Tech has been moved from Sept. 12 to the 19th and North Alabama has been added to the slate as a home game for Nov. 7.
North Alabama replaces Tennessee Tech, which was originally set for Sept. 19. Tennessee Tech’s season came to an end after the Ohio Valley Conference decided to cancel most fall competition.
North Alabama is an affiliate member of the Big South Conference in football.
The only game times set so far are 6 p.m. for the Sept. 26 home game against Tulane, and the 5 p.m. kickoff at Liberty on Oct. 24.
The South Alabama game was originally set for 7 p.m. Sept. 3, but the game time is now uncertain. It’s likely that USM is awaiting an ideal kickoff for TV.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said last week that he is getting closer to establishing capacity standards for the opener against South Alabama at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
A previous order by Reeves currently sets attendance at outdoor college events at 25%.
Reeves said that attendance limitations for the upcoming college football season will “be in the same ballpark” as 25%, but he indicated it could be slightly less than that.
“If you look at these larger collegiate stadiums, they’re very large so you have the opportunity to spread out,” Reeves said.
RB Steven Anderson opts out of 2020 Southern Miss season
Redshirt junior running back Steven Anderson became the fourth USM football player to decide to opt out of the 2020 season this week.
Anderson announced the news on his Twitter account, saying he plans to become a graduate transfer with eligibility to play two more seasons.
He said the “uncertainty and circumstances” of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the 2020 season led him to make the decision.
“To my Southern Miss family, thank you for the last 3 and a half years,” he said on Twitter. “I have met so many people and created relationships that will last a lifetime.
“To Coach (Hopson) and the rest of the staff, thank you for believing in me and making me a better player on the field and better person off the field.”
Anderson rushed 138 times for 513 yards and nine touchdowns in 23 games at USM.
The Sun Herald confirmed Monday that redshirt senior defensive end Jacques Turner, redshirt senior linebacker Racheem Boothe and redshirt junior Jaylond Adams all planned to sit out the 2020 season.
Turner and Boothe plan to transfer, but it’s unclear what Adams’ plans are.
New USM football schedule
Sept. 3 — South Alabama, TBA
Sept. 19 — Louisiana Tech, TBA
Sept. 26 — Tulane, 6 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at North Texas, TBA
Oct. 10 — Florida Atlantic, TBA
Oct. 17 — at UTEP, TBA
Oct. 24 — at Liberty, 5 p.m.
Oct. 31 — Rice, TBA
Nov. 7 — North Alabama, TBA
Nov. 14 — at WKU, TBA
Nov. 21 — UTSA, TBA
Nov. 28 — at UAB, TBA
