HBCU football game times, including heated rivalry, moved to avoid weather

Two HBCU football games in North Carolina are moving to earlier kickoff times Saturday as schools prepare for potentially severe weather later in the day.

Fayetteville State University announced that its home game against Valdosta State at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium has been moved from 6 p.m. to 11 a.m. because of forecasted weather concerns in the Fayetteville area.

The university said forecasts called for increasing chances of rain and thunderstorms Saturday evening, prompting officials to move the game to the morning in an effort to provide safer conditions for student-athletes, fans, officials and game-day personnel.

The decision was made in consultation with university officials and game operations personnel after reviewing weather projections for the area.

Fayetteville State said moving the kickoff is intended to avoid the period when the likelihood of inclement weather is expected to be greatest.

North Carolina Central also announced a significant change to its Saturday schedule, moving its game against North Carolina A&T from 6 p.m. to noon at Durham.

NCCU cited forecasted weather conditions later Saturday as the reason for the adjustment, saying the decision was made with the safety of student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans, officials and game-day workers in mind.

The changes mean both games will be played during the first half of the day rather than in the evening, when the threat of rain and thunderstorms is expected to increase.

For Fayetteville State and NCCU, the schedule adjustments are designed to allow the games to proceed while reducing potential exposure to unfavorable weather conditions.

The Fayetteville State-Valdosta State matchup now is scheduled for 11 a.m., while the NCCU-N.C. A&T game is set for noon Saturday.