Saint Francis has a new football opponent Nov. 7.

The university officially announced Friday the College of Faith will replace Redemption Academy as the Cougars’ last home opponent.

After questions rose about Redemption in late August in a Journal Gazette story, the Saint Francis athletic administration had concerns about the legitimacy of Redemption’s prep-school football program.

Two weeks ago, Saint Francis and College of Faith signed a deal to play a game Nov. 7 to replace Redemption, which doesn’t even have a football team.

"We had every intention of (playing) but when (The Journal Gazette’s) story came out we were iffy," Saint Francis athletic director Mike McCaffrey said. "That’s when we first raised concerns was when (The Journal Gazette) did."

A first-year program, the College of Faith was also on Redemption’s 2015 schedule and had four open dates this season. An independent school that is not in the NAIA nor the NCAA, College of Faith is in West Memphis, Arkansas.

"They had the open date; ... we were, like, if you are willing to do it, we would rather play against you," McCaffrey said. "I thought we would rectify the situation and get together."

McCaffrey called College of Faith "not competitive but at least legitimate."

In its first three games, College of Faith has been beaten 68-0 by McKendree, 86-0 by Valparaiso and 65-0 by Houston Baptist.

A report from a Virginia television station reported Redemption Christian College was an alleged "fake college team," which prompted sister school Redemption Academy, in Newport News, Virginia, to attempt to distance itself from the college.

But the game at Saint Francis was supposedly still on in late August before being changed when Saint Francis realized Redemption Academy did not have a football team.

The Cougars (6-0), who are ranked No. 7 in the latest NAIA coaches poll, have a full 10-game schedule set the next two years with the addition of Davenport.

gjones@jg.net