USF had scheduled Louisville to open the 2027 football season and to christen the Bulls' new on-campus stadium. That game is still on, but a schedule change announced on Monday has the Bulls playing a road game befor facing Louisville.
The game with Northern Illinois was moved from September 25 in Dekalb, Ill. to a date to be determined in August. The move was triggered by the NCAA's new "week zero" designation that allows programs to space out a 12-game schedule over 14 weeks. That lets programs have two bye weeks.
"When the NCAA standardized the calendar for next season and went to the consistency start for a 14 week period to play the 12 games. It gave us this chance to be able to have two byes and be able to control the recovery period a little better for our student athletes," Bulls CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins said.
"And so when we had that conversation with Coach Hartine around the possibility of it, it was something that we wanted to work through in fairly short order."
The Bulls are also at Boise State and at home against Florida A&M in the non-conference portion of their 2027 schedule.
Higgins' relationship with Northern Illinois athletic director Sean Frazier helped smooth the way for the transition.
""Sean was actually the chair of the Division 1 Ice Hockey Committee when we hosted our first Frozen Four here in 2012," Higgins said.
"He is just a great partner and now we're able to kick off next season there before we return home from for our stadium opening against Louisville."
Higgins also addressed construction and other items surrounding the new stadium.
"Our brand new on campus stadium continues to be on time in terms of our construction as we start to gear up towards September 4th of 2027 versus Louisville. I'm also really excited to share that we've officially sold out of the sideline club (seats)," he said.
"I think that is a real statement around just how excited all of Bulls Nation is for our brand new home as well as how much Team Tampa Bay is also excited how much demand there is around the premium offering. And I would reiterate, I've said it a lot of different times, but we're focused on making sure our new stadium is a world class experience for all. Invol. There will truly be a home for every single Bulls fan in the new stadium."
The Bulls previously announced that luxury suites and loge boxes have been sold out.
Seats for the general public will be available in September.
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