The Middle East Athletic Conference will not play fall sports, including soccer, in 2020. The conference made the announcement on Thursday, July 16.
That means Bison will not be playing MEAC member North Carolina A&T, who was scheduled to visit the Fargodome for a game on September 19. It was an anticipated matchup between the three-time defending national champion of the Division I Bison Football Championship Branch and the best historically black college and university program in the Aggies.
“It is disappointing to miss another opportunity,” said North Dakota State Athletic Director Matt Larsen. “The only thing I learned throughout this whole thing: football and sports are not just about the state of North Dakota, but you look at the whole country, and each part of the country is in different places and situations. different. We certainly respect the decision of people who have decided to cancel or postpone and understand that, but that doesn’t make it any easier for the state of North Dakota. “
It is the second game that NDSU has lost this season as the United States struggles to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Oregon, one of the major FBS shows, was supposed to host the Bison in early September, but the Pac-12 Conference also canceled all non-conference games. NDSU hasn’t played an FBS and Power Five conference opponent since 2016.
The Bisons now boil down to a conferenceless game, which is scheduled for September 12 against Drake at Gate City Bank Field in Fargodome. They currently have nine games scheduled with the Missouri Valley Football Conference game scheduled to begin September 26 in northern Iowa.
Larsen said Drake still intended to play Bison in his last conversation with the school, which is located in Des Moines, Iowa.
“I think things continue to evolve, but until we hear differently we are going to plan for them to be here,” Larsen said.
Larsen said NDSU would be willing to fill in the open dates after losing the Oregon and North Carolina A&T games, but that is a smooth situation.
“We have had some good conversations with other schools and I think there is interest,” said Larsen. “I think a lot of people are waiting to see what happens in the next 10-day week.”
Larsen said an MVFC schedule for the fall conference only might be an option at some point, but the league has yet to closely examine that scenario.
“I think anything is an option right now. We haven’t gotten into really deep conversations about it, “said Larsen. “I think most of the leagues right now are looking for a multitude of options with the ultimate goal of getting a college football season in one shape or form.” If it were just the conference, I’m sure it’s something we would consider. “
The Bisons are scheduled to perform at fall soccer camp on August 6 with practice scheduled to begin the next day.
“Our hope is to move forward with a fall season and that is our plan right now,” said Larsen.
