Montana State Bobcats will meet Mercyhurst in 2024, if Stephen F. Austin cancels football series.
A recent decision by Stephen F. Austin has resulted in alterations to Montana State’s nonconference football scheduling for the following two seasons.
SFA told MSU on Friday that it would discontinue its two-year series with the Bobcats, MSU athletic director Leon Costello revealed on Wednesday. The prior arrangement between the two institutions featured a home game for MSU on September 14 this season and a matchup at SFA on September 13 in 2025.
The Cats were able to replace this year’s previously scheduled SFA fixture with a home game versus Mercyhurst University on September 21. No new plans have been announced for the 2025 game versus SFA, which was previously scrapped.
“This development is disappointing and disturbing, given that the 2024 Bobcat Football season begins in less than three months,” Costello stated in Wednesday’s news statement.
The news broke shortly after SFA declared its participation in the Southland Conference in July. After nearly four decades in the Southland, SFA will join the Western Athletic Conference in 2021. Last year, they competed in the United Athletic Conference. The Southland and UAFC compete in the Football Championship Subdivision, which also includes MSU.
“I understand the effects of this change are wide-ranging and not ideal for our fans who have already made plans to attend a home game on a different date,” Costello stated. “However, adding this game allows us to maintain a six-game home schedule while also playing a full 12-game schedule in 2024.” That is significant for a variety of reasons, including FCS playoff considerations.”
Mercyhurst will play its first NCAA Division I season after several years in Division II. The football team is a member of the FCS Northeast Conference. The game in Bozeman on September 21 will be the program’s first west of the Mississippi River, according to MSU. Mercyhurst is located in Erie, Pennsylvania.
“While our options to replace the game were very limited, we are grateful to everyone at Mercyhurst and their willingness to work with us and we look forward to hosting them in September,” Costello stated.