UPDATE: An Arizona official clarified Wednesday that the date change is not a ”done deal” at this time. While the move is expected to happen, there still need to be some “sign-offs” from the schools and ESPN.
Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon runs past Arizona cornerback Robert Golden in the Alamo Bowl. Photo by Matt Strasen-US PRESSWIRE
The Arizona Wildcats’ game this season at Oklahoma State — a likely preseason top 10 team — has been moved to a Thursday night on ESPN.
The game, originally set for Sept. 10 in Stillwater, will be played Sept. 8, a UA official confirmed Tuesday.
Arizona opens the 2011 season at home on Sept. 3 against Northern Arizona. By moving up the game against the Cowboys, the Wildcats will have a couple of extra days to get ready for their Pac-12 opener against visiting Stanford on Sept. 17.
The Arizona-Oklahoma State game will be a rematch of the 2010 Alamo Bowl, won by the Cowboys 36-10.
Oklahoma State returns a dynamic passing game, led by quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver. OSU was third in the nation in scoring last season with 44.23 points per game.
This will be the first of two Thursday night games for the Cats. They will play host to UCLA on Oct. 20 on ESPN. Arizona’s home game against Oregon on Sept. 24 is also slated for ESPN or ESPN2.
Here is Arizona’s 2011 schedule:
Sat., Sept. 3 — vs. Northern Arizona
Thurs., Sept. 8 — at Oklahoma State
Sat., Sept. 17 — vs. Stanford
Sat., Sept. 24 — vs. Oregon
Sat., Oct. 1 — at USC
Sat., Oct. 8 — at Oregon State
Thurs., Oct. 20 — vs. UCLA
Sat., Oct. 29 —at Washington
Sat., Nov. 5 — vs. Utah
Sat., Nov. 12 —at Colorado
Sat., Nov. 19 —at Arizona State
Fri., Nov. 25 — vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
The first Pac-12 Championship Game, matching the South Division winner vs. the North winner, will be held Saturday, Dec. 3.