Feb. 15, 2002

CAPE GIRARDEAU - For just the second time in school history, Southeast Missouri State University will play 12 football games in the fall of 2002.

The NCAA allows a school to schedule 12 games during years in which there are 14 Saturdays from the first permissible playing date through the last playing date in November. Southeast last played 12 games in 1994 when they played the extra game at Hawaii.

The 2002 football schedule will include five home games at Houck Stadium and seven games on the road.

The home games include the season opener on August 29 against Arkansas-Monticello. The other home games include the Family Weekend game with Tennessee State on Oct. 5, the Homecoming game on Oct. 19 against Eastern Illinois and games with Tennessee Tech on Nov. 2 and Samford on Nov. 16. All games begin at 6 p.m. except the Homecoming game that begins at 1 p.m.

Southeast road games will include four straight games in September with non-conference contests at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Southwest Missouri and Middle Tennessee. Ohio Valley Conference road contests will be at Tennessee-Martin on Oct 12, at Murray State on Oct. 26 and at Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 9.

"We're excited about playing two I-A teams in Eastern Michigan and Middle Tennessee," said Southeast coach Tim Billings. "I know our players are really excited about returning to Eastern Michigan where we lost a narrow 16-12 decision last season.

"Our schedule will be very challenging, particularly with the four straight road games in the month of September."

Southeast begins preparation for the 2002 schedule with spring football practice that begins on March 4 and ends with the spring game at Houck Stadium on Friday, April 12, 7 p.m.

2002 Southast Football Schedule

Aug. 29   Arkansas-Monticello      6:00 p.m.
Sept. 7   at Southern Illinois     TBA
Sept. 14  at Eastern Michigan      TBA
Sept. 21  at Southwest Missouri    TBA
Sept. 28  at Middle Tennessee      TBA
Oct. 5    Tennessee State *        6:00 p.m. (Family Weekend)
Oct. 12   at UT-Martin *           TBA
Oct. 19   Eastern Illinois *       1:00 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 26   at Murray State *        TBA
Nov. 2    Tennessee Tech *         6:00 p.m.
Nov. 9    at Eastern Kentucky *    TBA
Nov. 16   Samford                  6:00 p.m.