For some college football coaches, an opening season Thursday
night game is a good way to get the students out on a week night, for others it
disrupts the usual game week routine.
Fewer games on the national docket (compared to a Saturday
schedule) and an upset win can bring good national coverage.
During Tuesday’s Conference Call, a few of the coaches gave
their Thursday Game Philosophy
Tonight, Chattanooga is at Central Michigan and Mercer hosts Reinhardt.
Samford will host Stillman College Thursday Sept.
11 after an open week.
Mike Houston – The Citadel
Opening Game: Saturday, 6 p.m.: Coastal Carolina at home
“We do not have any Thursday night games scheduled in the
future at this point, but I like the idea.
“I would be in favor of playing a Thursday game to open the
season … it gives you two extra days of practice during pre-season camp and
also gives you two extra days to prepare for your next opponent.”
Bruce Fowler – Furman
Opening Game: Sat. 7 p.m. – Gardner Webb at home
“In the past, I have not had any problems with Thursday
night games … as a coach, you have to change some of your normal Saturday
routine, but the students go to class, have our pre-game meal and get ready for
the game.
“A Thursday night game does bring a lot of excitement to
campus and creates a festive atmosphere … and playing on Thursday gives you a
nine day window for the next game.”
Bobby Lamb – Mercer
Opening Game: Thursday, 7 p.m. – Reinhardt at home
“The main reason we are playing on Thursday this year is to
stay away from the South Carolina-Georgia game in Athens at 5:30 p.m. on
Saturday … But having a Thursday game this year is good for us as it gets our
fans here and I think it fires up middle Georgia about Mercer football.”
Bill D’Ottavio (def.
coordinator) - Samford
Opening Game: Sat. 7 p.m. – at TCU
“I have been involved
with Thursday night games in the past and you do have to make some adjustments
compared to a Saturday game … Ths year Samford plays Stillman College the second
game, but we have an off week between TCU and Stillman so that is a big help ….
If it was a Thursday after a Saturday that would be different.”
Russ Huesman – UTC
Opening Game: Thursday, 7 p.m. at Central Michigan
“Playing a Thursday night game on the road is not much
different than playing a Saturday road game, except for there not as many games being
played. But I don’t like Thursday games at home, because the athletes are in
class most of the day and the schedule for the day is too choppy.
"When you wake up on Saturday it’s all football all day.”
Mike Ayers – Wofford
Opening Game: Sat. 12:30 p.m. – at Georgia Tech
“I am a creature of habit and I like Saturday
afternoon football … you get in a rhythm and a schedule when playing Saturday
games … Thursday games are a novelty and the students probably like them and I
believe we have one scheduled on a couple of years, but again on Saturday
everything is mapped out … I might consider playing a Thursday game after an
open date.