The Lincoln Blue Tigers were given the rare opportunity to play a nonconference game this season and took full advantage of it.
A game against Division I Grambling State at Arrowhead Stadium highlights Lincoln's 2013 football schedule released Tuesday.
While the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association now plays an 11-game conference schedule, Lincoln had an open date after Truman State left for the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Grambling State (La.), which plays in the football championship subdivision and is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, is one of the country's best known Historically Black Colleges. The game will kick off at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 14.
Lincoln's first three games are away from home as it opens the season Thursday, Sept. 5 against Lindenwood. After playing Grambling State, Lincoln hits the road again against Missouri Southern (Sept. 21).
The Blue Tigers open the home slate against Pittsburg State on Sept 28 followed by the annual Homecoming game against Emporia State on Oct. 5.
It's back on the road for the Blue Tigers on Oct. 19 and 26, against Washburn and Nebraska Kearney, respectively.
Three of Lincoln's final four games are at home against Fort Hays State (Oct. 26), Northeastern State (Nov. 9) and Southwest Baptist (Nov. 26).
Lincoln's final road game is Nov. 2 against Central Oklahoma.
Lincoln will be featured on TV twice as its games against Missouri Southern and Fort Hays State will be broadcast on the MIAA Network.
The Blue Tigers are coming off a 1-10 season.