The Georgia State Panthers have received a one-time waiver to open the 2014 season on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at home vs. Abilene Christian, the school announced this morning.
GSU received the waiver to play one day earlier than the NCAA typically allows due to the Chick-fil-A Kickoff having two games next season at the Georgia Dome. Boise State takes on Ole Miss on Thursday, Aug. 28 and then Alabama faces West Virginia on Saturday, Aug. 30.
There is also the possibility that the Atlanta Falcons could play a preseason game at the Georgia Dome on Friday, Aug. 29. The 2014 preseason schedule won’t be announced until around April 1.
“We thank the NCAA for granting this waiver and we cannot wait to kick off the 2014 FBS college football season in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome,” Georgia State Director of Athletics Cheryl L. Levick said. “This will be a great opportunity for our team and we are excited to give our fans a midweek home game. We would especially like to thank the NCAA, the Georgia Dome, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Abilene Christian athletic department for supporting the application for this waiver. It was a team effort and we look forward to the 2014 season.”
The announcement completes Georgia State’s 2014 non-conference football schedule. Georgia State also hosts Air Force on Sept. 13 and then travels to Washington on Sept. 20 and Clemson on Nov. 22.
Although the 2014 Sun Belt Conference schedule won’t be released until March 1, the opponents are already known. Georgia State will host Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, New Mexico State, and Texas State and will travel to Appalachian State, South Alabama, Troy, and UL Lafayette.
Georgia State finished the 2013 season 0-12 overall and 0-7 in the Sun Belt. The only other team to go winless in 2013 was Miami (OH).