Florida A&M and Arkansas will be part of the first
Thursday night of the 2017 college football season when they play in Little
Rock. Originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, Sept. 2, the Razorbacks’
season opener at War Memorial Stadium will now be played on Thursday, Aug. 31,
at 7 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
It marks the first time since 2001 that Arkansas will open
the season on a Thursday night. Arkansas defeated UNLV in the 2001 season
opener. It will also be the program’s first Thursday night game since 2003 when
Arkansas took down South Carolina, 28-6. Both of those games were also played
at War Memorial Stadium.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our program and our
fans to be featured on the first Thursday night of the 2017 college football
season on the SEC Network,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics
Jeff Long
said. “I was excited about the possibility when the SEC offered the opportunity
and I think it’s a great way for our fans to kick off the season and the
holiday weekend. I want to thank Kevin Crass and the War Memorial Stadium
Commission as well as several local hotel owners for working with us to
accommodate Florida A&M in Little Rock on these dates.”
“I’m excited that our fans and city will enjoy the unique
experience of a Thursday night Razorback game at War Memorial Stadium,” said
War Memorial Stadium Commission Chairman Kevin Crass. “I’m grateful to Jeff
Long for working with us and making this happen.”
The game will be the first-ever meeting between Arkansas and
Florida A&M.
