Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
Much like the college football season, uncertainty surrounds the official word on the University of New Mexico’s game against USC.
A week ago, the Pac-12 announced that its teams will play only conference opponents this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. That meant the Lobos’ game at USC scheduled for Sept. 12 will not take place in 2020.
Will the game be rescheduled?
“Many things are being discussed, but nothing is official,” UNM athletic director Eddie Nuñez said. “My hope is that we can find a positive outcome with this.”
What happens to the money, $1,050,000, agreed to in a contract, and $100,000 that has already been paid to UNM?
“Our staff and legal are working through the contract assessment,” Nuñez said.
The contract stipulation of force majeure will most likely be a factor. The agreement becomes void “in the event that it becomes impossible to play the game due to fire, flood, earthquake, war, invasion, hostilities, rebellion, and civil insurrection, confiscation by order of the government, military, or public authority, or prohibitory or injunctive orders entered by a competent judicial or government authority, civil or military.”
UNM is similar to several other Group of Five programs that are trying to find a best-case scenario after conferences like the Pac-12 and Big Ten have chosen to play only conference opponents this season.
In addition to finalizing an outcome with USC, Nuñez will also look into the possibility of scheduling a different opponent for the Sept. 12 date.
The Lobos still have another money game on their schedule: at Mississippi State on Sept. 5. UNM will be paid $1 million, according to the contract.
The Lobos continue with training and workouts and are scheduled to begin preseason camp July 31. They are scheduled to open the season at home against Idaho State on Aug. 29.
