Thanks to a late pull-out by Principia College, Haskell Indian Nations University will have a head start on its football season.

The Panthers and the Fightin’ Indians were scheduled to meet in the lid-lifter for both teams on Sept. 2 at Haskell Stadium, but Principia pulled the plug.

“They decided we weren’t on their level,” HINU coach Eric Brock said.

Curiously, Principia and Haskell have met four times previously – the last time in 2002 – and the Panthers won three of the meetings. But Principia posted a 1-8 record last year, defeating only Trinity Bible College, a perennial small-college punching bag.

Principia is an NCAA Div. III school located in Elsah, Ill. Haskell is a member of the NAIA.

Brock attempted to fill the Sept. 2 slot with another foe, but his 11th-hour attempt was unsuccessful.

“All the responses I had were from schools that wanted to play road games,” the fifth-year HINU coach said, “or from teams I didn’t want to play in the first game.”

So Brock opted to play a home-and-home series against Peru, Neb., State.

“That’s not unusual to play a team twice,” Brock said. “Other people do it, and every time we play Peru the games are close. The last two have gone into overtime.”

The last time Haskell played the same team twice in a season was in 1999 – a year in which the Indians were transitioning from a junior college to a four-year school – and the foe was, ironically, Principia.

Peru State was locked into a game on Sept. 2, so Brock agreed to play the Bobcats a week earlier on Aug. 26. The return game is scheduled for Oct. 28. But that could change, too.

HINU officials are hoping to receive U.S. government go-ahead to install artificial turf at Haskell Stadium in time for the football season. If playing host to Peru State on Aug. 26 would preclude that makeover, Brock said the Nebraska school has agreed to flip-flop dates.

“We’ll do whatever it takes,” Brock said. “We’ll play in Timbuktu, if we have to.”

Lawrence High and Free State High also will play their home football games at Haskell Stadium. The Lions’ home opener is Sept. 1 against Olathe North. Free State’s first home game will be Sept. 7 against Olathe East.

Because of the earlier start to the season, HINU players will report for preseason camp on Aug. 6.