Purdue says Kent State is paying $425,000 to get out of a contract for their football teams to play next year.

The move clears the way for Kent State to play at Alabama on the same date.

Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke says he got word of the move Wednesday.

Burke says Kent State athletic director Joel Nielsen told him that Kent State would make the contracted payment to get out of the Sept. 3, 2011, game.

Burke says he’s “personally surprised” by the late decision. He says Purdue is moving quickly to find a replacement opponent.