Houston Baptist still had three games scheduled for only its eighth football season when the FCS Southland Conference decided a few weeks ago to not play league games this fall.
Then came the expanded protocols and increased costly testing necessary to play upper-division schools during a pandemic.
“You begin to think, ‘Is any of this worth it?’" HBU athletic director Steve Moniaci said.
It was for the Huskies, who kicked off their season Saturday night in a 57-31 loss at North Texas, when their senior quarterback Bailey Zappe threw for 480 yards and three touchdowns..
HBU also has senior standouts back at the other offensive skill positions after a school-record five wins last season, and Moniaci said the players “obviously want to compete" and be on the field long before a potential spring league schedule.