Despite Initial Delay, TU Head Coach Remains Optimistic To Play Full Season

A handful of positive tests a few weeks ago forced TU to pause practice for nine days, and that delay has forced the start of the season to begin a week later.

The Golden Hurricane will now play at OSU on September 19 instead of this Saturday, September 12.

TU head coach Philip Montgomery told reporters on Tuesday he's confident that date will remain firm.

The waiting game is the new normal for college football, and disruptions from practices and games could be a common occurrence this fall.

With Oklahoma State and Tulsa both having an open week, Montgomery said pushing the game back a week was the right call.

"With the additional week of work, I think it gives us the opportunity to get practices underneath our belt and preparing our guys to play a game that’s different than a lot of other games,” Montgomery said.

Coach Montgomery remains optimistic this season will be played in its entirety.

"We know that there is going to be adjustments that have to made throughout the season and again we knew that coming in, so it hasn't changed my outlook or focus,” Montgomery said.

An extra nine days to prepare for 15th ranked Oklahoma State has both positives and negatives for the Hurricane, the conditioning the most taxing piece.

"I think our guys definitely will be ready to step on the field from a conditioning standpoint,” Montgomery said. “That was our biggest concern.”