Sarah Thomas will become the first female referee to officiate in a major-college football game tomorrow, the Associated Press reported.

Ms. Thomas, a veteran high-school referee who is a pharmaceutical representative by day, will serve as a line judge in a Conference USA game in Memphis, Tenn., between the University of Memphis and Jacksonville State University, in Alabama. Female referees have worked NCAA football games before, but never in Division I-A.

Gerry Austin, a longtime NFL ref and the coordinator of officials for Conference USA, said Ms. Thomas had come highly recommended but would have a lot of pressure on her.

“If she does a good job, I think she will have a very positive effect,” he said. “If she messes up, some people might say females aren’t ready.”

She may be making history, but she won’t be talking about it. Conference policy prohibits officials from granting interviews until after the season. —Brad Wolverton