Blue Jays football is one step closer to returning as the team announced its schedule for the upcoming season this fall.
Following a year when the season was delayed and shortened because of the pandemic, the Blue Jays are set to line up at 1 p.m. Sept. 4 against Knox College for their opening game at Kent and Judith Mueller Stadium. They will face Minnesota Morris University on the road at noon for their first conference game of the season and first of six UMAC games to wrap up their schedule.
"Last season was a challenging one to say the least," Westminster football head coach John Welty said. "The guys and our staff made the best of it. I applaud their resolve and adaptability but, we are all looking forward to this coming year and what we hope is a more normal season."
Their are five home and four road games on the nine-game schedule as the Blue Jays were unable to find a tenth opponent. A full ten-game schedule is expected to return for the 2022 season.
Some notable home games on the slate are include a 1 p.m. Sept. 25 game against Rhodes College to kick off Family Weekend. The annual homecoming game will be at noon Oct. 30 against conference newcomer Finlandia University. Senior Day will be observed for the noon Nov. 6 game against two-time defending conference champion Martin Luther College.
Kicker Tim Branneky will be among the standout performers returning this season for the Blue Jays. In 2019, Branneky was named first team all-conference, making three field goals of more than 40 yards including a school and conference record-breaking 58-yard-kick.
Westminster finished last year's shortened schedule with a 2-1 overall and UMAC south division record to win a division title. In its last full season in 2019, it had a 4-6 record and a 4-4 conference record.