By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
The newly-installed lights at BB&T Field will provide one of the many storylines for Thomas More on Aug. 31, when the Saints play host to Kentucky Christian at 7 p.m. in Crestview Hills.
It will mark the Thomas More football program’s first-ever night home contest at BB&T Field, which was built in 2008. The game against Kentucky Christian will also be the Saints’ gridiron debut in the NAIA, having made the transition from NCAA Division III after last season.
Thomas More posted a 7-3 record last season, while Kentucky Christian finished 2-9 a year ago. The Knights were 1-5 in Mid-South Conference play last fall, playing in the Appalachian Division. Thomas More is entering its first season as a member of the Mid-South Conference, and the Saints will compete in the Bluegrass Division.
Thomas More quarterback Justin Post completed 155 passes in 265 attempts last season for 2,072 yards and 21 touchdowns. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
The Saints must replace leading rusher Hjavier Pitts and his 1,337 yards. Pitts also scored 12 touchdowns last season. Also missing is second-leading rusher Luke Zajac, who gained 803 yards on the ground in 2018 and added eight touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Da’marco Canty returns after hauling in 26 receptions for a team-leading 490 yards and seven touchdowns.
TOUGH SCHEDULE: Thomas More will meet four teams ranked in the NAIA preseason Top 25 poll this fall. The Saints host No. 13 Lindsey Wilson on Oct. 19, and visit No. 21 Georgetown (Ky.) on Oct. 26. Thomas More also plays at No. 16 Bethel (Tenn.) on Nov. 2 and hosts No. 17 Cumberlands on Nov. 9.
MSC ADDS THREE: The Mid-South Conference will add Bethel (Tenn.), Freed-Hardeman and Martin Methodist during the 2020-21 academic year, bringing the league’s full-time membership total to 12.
Bethel and Martin Methodist have spent the past six years in the Southern States Conference, while Freed-Hardeman has been a member of the American Midwest Conference. The three incoming members are located in Tennessee.
NAIA HOOPS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS VISIT TMU: Defending NAIA men’s basketball national champion Georgetown (Ky.) will visit Thomas More on Jan. 9 for an 8 p.m. clash in the Connor Convocation Center. The Tigers finished with a 33-4 record last season en route to the NAIA title. Thomas More and Georgetown are both in the Mid-South Conference.
SHORT-LIVED RENEWAL: The Northern Kentucky University/Thomas More exhibition basketball series has been halted, according to TMU athletic director Terry Connor. After playing last season, NKU did not renew the exhibition game for 2019-20.
NKU posted an 84-47 win over Thomas More last season in the exhibition game at BB&T Arena.
Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com and follow him on Twitter at @dontribunesport
