The Arkansas Razorbacks’ kickoff time against Western Carolina has moved to noon

The University of Arkansas announced that it has moved the kick-off time for the Razorbacks’ season-opener to noon against Western Carolina State on Saturday in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium.

The game was originally scheduled to kick off at 3pm, but with the weather forecast pointing to temperatures in the mid-90s and high humidity on Saturday afternoon, the change of game time would allow for safer conditions for the stadium’s student-athletes and fans in attendance. According to UA.

“We try to do what’s best for our team and what’s best for the fans,” Sam Bateman, the team’s head coach, said on Monday. “We’re trying. I imagine coming back three hours earlier when it’s 9 o’clock and it’s 88 degrees versus 96 or 95 or whatever if you start at noon, I think it’s better for the fans. We’re trying. Played five of our first eight games on the road .

“So, when the temperatures rose, there was a decision to be made, do we go forward or do we take it back. If we start at six or seven, you get the team.”

According to UA, the flexibility to move game time came with the game being broadcast on SEC Network+/ESPN+. As part of the Southeast Conference’s new deal with ESPN, schools are allowed to dictate the start time of games broadcast on SECN+/ESPN+.