USD 2016 opener versus Cal canceled

(STATS) - South Dakota will no longer face a marquee matchup against California in its 2016 season opener after the Pac-12 school canceled the Sept. 3 contest.

The Golden Bears received a waiver from the NCAA allowing them to start next season one week early to accommodate an international game in Sydney, Australia, against Hawaii.

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"Cal has a unique opportunity to play a football game in Australia and we understand their desire to terminate our contract for 2016," South Dakota athletic director David Herbster said. "Since we knew this was a possibility, we have been exploring possible opponents for the first weekend of the 2016 season.

"We hope to have a replacement game soon."

The Cal-South Dakota game would have been the first between the two programs. The Coyotes are scheduled to host Weber State on Sept. 10 and take on North Dakota in Grand Forks on Sept. 17 before beginning Missouri Valley Conference play next season.

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