How the OVC fall sports plan affects Jacksonville State

With the Ohio Valley Conference’s decision to move fall sports to the spring Friday, what does that mean for Jacksonville State?

The Gamecocks and the rest of the OVC football teams are allowed to play four non-conference games this fall despite having to wait until spring for league games.

What does that mean for JSU?

Jacksonville State plans on playing four non-conference games

As of now JSU only has two non-conference games. And neither have a definite date. Jacksonville State Athletic Director Greg Seitz said he is looking to add two more contests.

The Gamecocks were scheduled to play at North Alabama on Sept. 12 but that date is no longer happening according to Seitz. He added that a date hasn’t been confirmed, but the game will be in October.

Seitz said that Florida International and JSU have set a tentative date, but it isn’t yet official. It will not be before Sept. 16 as FIU delayed the start of intercollegiate competition through that date.

Any home games?

As of now, JSU’s lone two games are on the road.

Seitz is looking for at least one of the two games added to be at Burgess-Snow Field in Jacksonville.

“That is my main task I’m working on right now is trying to have at least one home game in the fall,” he said. “And if we can come up with two home games that would be great.”

When will the non-conference schedule be finalized?

“It’s a work in progress,” Seitz said.

JSU has contracts with UNA and FIU, both of which are still planning on playing non-conference games this fall.

Seitz has been in discussions with other schools recently.

“We’ve been contacted within the last 2-3 days so I’ve been working on some contingency schedules,” Seitz said. “We will try to play the four non-conference games that we are allowed to play. We hope to have some clarity to our schedule early next week.”