The University of Maine football team’s home opener against Rhode Island that was originally scheduled for Saturday has been moved to Friday evening due to Hurricane Lee, UMaine announced on Wednesday.
The game will be held Friday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Alfond Stadium.
UMaine enters Friday’s game — its Coastal Athletic Association opener — with a 0-2 record following losses to Florida International University and North Dakota State. Rhode Island is 1-1 with a loss to Georgia State and a 35-14 conference win over Stony Brook last week. The team is currently ranked 20th in one Football Championship Subdivision poll and 21st in the other.
Tickets sold for Saturday’s game will be honored on Friday night, the university said. Fans who bought tickets but are unable to attend on Friday can contact the ticket office to exchange tickets for a future game.
The game will no longer be broadcast on WVII-TV but will be livestreamed on FloFootball and air on 92.9 The Ticket.
“Out of an abundance of caution based on the potential impact of the hurricane, and in consultation with University and other officials, as well as our friends at CAA Football and the University of Rhode Island, we believe moving the game to Friday night maximizes health and safety and gives our student-athletes the best chance to compete without interruption — and for everyone to get home safely,” UMaine Director of Athletics Jude Killy said.