Martin, Tenn. ? No one can accuse Baker University football coach Mike Grossner of scheduling a season-opening cupcake.

The NAIA-affiliated Wildcats will meet Tennessee-Martin, an NCAA Football Subdivision member, today on the road.

“This type of game puts our program in a tough playoff-type atmosphere early in the season,” Grossner said.

Kickoff will be 4:30 p.m. at Graham Stadium on the UT-Martin campus.

The Skyhawks opened Saturday against a higher-level foe, bowing to South Florida, 56-7, in Tampa, Fla. That’s the same South Florida that will entertain Kansas University on Friday night.

“I watched the Martin-South Florida game on TV and came away very impressed with both squads,” Grossner said. “Both were very physical and athletic.”

Baker returns 16 starters – eight on offense and eight on defense – from last year’s 6-5 squad.

Offensively, Baker is led by quarterback Mack Brown, a junior out of Shawnee Mission North High who completed 154 of 283 passes for 1,809 yards last season. Senior linebacker Spencer Curran anchors Baker’s defense after leading the Heart of America Athletic Conference with 124 tackles last season.

Baker will open HAAC play Saturday at Culver-Stockton. The Wildcats’ home opener will be Sept. 20 against Lindenwood.