GREELEY, Colo. - The University of Northern Colorado football team will continue its recent tradition of playing a game against a team in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), as the 2009 schedule is announced, along with a game against Colorado State in 2011.

The Bears open the 2009 season against the University of Kansas, while they face the Rams on Sept. 10, 2011 at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium.

"This is a great opportunity to regionally showcase our football program," said Northern Colorado Director of Athletics Jay Hinrichs. "We have faced the Rams in a number of sports and I know our student-athletes look forward to the competition."

"This is something we've wanted to do for a while now, and we've finally been able to make it happen," said Colorado State Director of Athletics Paul Kowalczyk. "I think it's an outstanding game for this region, an opportunity to spotlight both institutions and their football programs. We're looking forward to renewing this series."

In 2009, NC also hosts a pair of USD schools in San Diego on Sept. 12 and South Dakota on Oct. 31, as well as Montana State (Sept. 26), Portland State (Oct. 10), Weber State (Oct. 24) and Sacramento State (Nov. 7) from the always competitive Big Sky Conference. Road games in league action are Eastern Washington (Sept. 19), Northern Arizona (Oct. 3), Idaho State (Oct. 17) and Montana (Nov. 14).

The 2009 schedule marks the first time since 2006 the Bears have had six home contest dates.

"2009 is obviously another challenging schedule," said Head Coach Scott Downing. "It is a great opportunity to open at a Big XII school in Kansas, which has a great program and a rich tradition. I'm excited about having San Diego at home and renewing the old NCC rivalry with South Dakota."

"Playing a FBS team helps us to prepare for the daunting Big Sky schedule and both Kansas and Colorado State in 2011 are games we are going to enjoy," said Downing. "Playing CSU is a great game for us to play, because it's close enough for our family and fans to make it and an opportunity for our guys to face some of the people they played high school football with and against. It is also a chance for us to play a program with a great history."

The contest against Colorado State will renew a rivalry that hasn't been played since 1986 but began back in 1899.

2009 Northern Colorado Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site
Sept. 5	at Kansas	Lawrence, Kan.
Sept. 12	San Diego	Nottingham Field
Sept. 19	*at Eastern Washington	Cheney, Wash.
Sept. 26	*Montana State	Nottingham Field
Oct. 3	*at Northern Arizona	Flagstaff, Ariz.
Oct. 10	*Portland State	Nottingham Field
Oct. 17	*at Idaho State	Pocatello, Idaho
Oct. 24	*Weber State	Nottingham Field
Oct. 31	South Dakota	Nottingham Field
Nov. 7	*Sacramento State	Nottingham Field
Nov. 14	*at Montana	Missoula, Mont.

*indicates Big Sky Conference game