St. Thomas' first football game as a Division I team will likely have to wait.
St. Thomas' football opener canceled because of COVID-19 protocols at St. Francis (Ill.)
The Tommies said they are looking to find another opponent to play Sept. 4, which was scheduled date for their first game as a Division I team.
August 26, 2021 at 8:37PM
The Tommies announced Thursday that their football opener against St. Francis (Ill.), scheduled for Sept. 4, has been canceled because of COVID-19 protocols.
The COVID issue is on St. Francis' end, according to sources at each school.
The Tommies, who are making the jump from Division III to Division I, are "searching for a replacement opponent to play at O'Shaughnessy Stadium on Sept. 4, or on a date later in the season," the St. Thomas news release said.
"Our players and coaches have a 100 percent vaccination rate as a team," said St. Thomas athletic director Phil Esten, according to the news release. "They continue to do everything they can to prepare and put themselves in a position to have a successful fall season. Coach Glenn Caruso continues stressing the importance of remaining physically and mentally ready to compete."
St. Francis, an NAIA school, issued a short news release, which added that the game with St. Thomas will not be rescheduled.
Finding a replacement game for Sept. 4 will be difficult for the Tommies this close to the start of the season. Their next scheduled game is Sept. 11 at Michigan Tech, followed by a trip to Northern Iowa on Sept. 18.
Their next home game, and their Pioneer League debut, is scheduled for Sept. 25 against Butler.
Two offensive linemen from Lakeville, Bryce Benhart and Riley Mahlman, are standouts for Big Ten rivals of Minnesota.
