A number of college football conferences have announced plans to postpone their season until spring, but on Monday the Southwestern Athletic Conference became the first to release a schedule.

The league announced Monday that it will kick off its delayed season with 10 conference games on the weekend of Feb. 27, and conclude with the conference championship game on May 1.

The schedule includes one non-conference open date for each team and conference contests scheduled each week beginning in Week 1.

Additionally, the league has designated a bye week for each team during the week of March 13 — Week 3 of the season. The bye week coincides with the SWAC’s men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, which are scheduled for March 9-13.

Two-time defending SWAC champion Alcorn State will begin the season with a road game at Alabama A&M on Feb. 26. It will play three home games in Lorman — vs. Alabama State on March 6, Texas Southern on April 10, and Jackson State on April 17.

Alcorn’s other road games are at Mississippi Valley State on March 20 and Southern University on March 27. Alcorn will play a non-conference game on April 3, but the opponent has not yet been determined.

In a statement Monday, Alcorn State said fans who have already purchased season tickets or parking will have the option to carry over their purchases to the spring. Fans may also request a full refund, partial refund or allow their purchases to become a donation to the Alcorn State University Department of Athletics.

“We are preparing for an exciting spring season, and now more than ever we need the support from our fan base,” said Derek Horne, Alcorn State’s director of athletics. “COVID-19 has presented many challenges for us as we continue to make many difficult monetary decisions. We greatly value and appreciate all contributions as we look for ways to maintain our budgets. I commend our coaches and staff for staying the course during this unprecedented time.”

The other Week 1 games in the SWAC are Mississippi Valley State at Jackson State; Southern at Alabama State; Texas Southern at Arkansas-Pine Bluff; and Prairie View A&M at Grambling.

Mississippi Valley State plays its home opener on March 6 against Alabama A&M.

Alcorn State schedule
Feb. 27…….at Alabama A&M
March 6…….Alabama State
March 13…….Open date
March 20…….at Mississippi Valley State
March 27…….at Southern
April 3…….Open date
April 10…….Texas Southern
April 17…….Jackson State
April 24…….Open date

Jackson State schedule
Feb. 27…….Mississippi Valley State
March 6…….at Grambling State
March 13…….Open date
March 20…….at Alabama State
March 27…….Prairie View A&M
April 3…….Open date
April 10…….Alabama A&M
April 17…….at Alcorn State
April 24…….Open date

Mississippi Valley State schedule
Feb. 27…….at Jackson State
March 6…….Alabama A&M
March 13…….Open date
March 20…….Alcorn State
March 27…….Open date
April 3…….Arkansas-Pine Bluff
April 10…….at Alabama State
April 17…….at Texas Southern
April 24…….Open date