Missouri State football has rescheduled its home opener to 11 a.m. on Thursday due to anticipated heavy thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening.

The home opener was originally scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff against Lincoln University.

With classes in session Thursday morning, BearFest Village tailgating activities will not be held. Individual tailgating will be allowed in the lots south of Grand Street.

Parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis in all university lots. Shuttle services are available at no charge for fans parking in the BearPark North parking garage.

Tickets for Thursday's game can be exchanged at the JQH Arena box office.

Jeff Raberding — a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Springfield — said moisture in the area will begin to increase Thursday night. Later in the week, heavier and widespread rain should be expected.

"Friday and Saturday morning would be the heaviest rain," Raberding said. "Rain and isolated storms are in the forecast."

Heavy rain in the forecast will bring lightning, according to Raberding. The meteorologist said lightning will come especially from Friday night into Saturday morning.

"There's still some uncertainty as to how this will play out," Raberding said. "It's something to watch closely."

Raberding said the storms will be in Arkansas on Thursday but remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon will still be close to Springfield and that the area will be unsettled through Saturday.

A number of college football games were delayed or canceled during Week 1 of the regular season — most notably, cancellations to Nebraska and Iowa State's openers.

Nebraska's game was delayed and ultimately canceled, immediately after the opening kickoff. A Nebraska official ran onto the field to notify officials of lightning within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. Lightning in the area requires at least a half-hour delay.