App State kicks off 2012 against Montana

Dec 7, 2011 - 5:54 PM Boone, NC (Sports Network) - Non-conference games against Montana and East Carolina are part of Appalachian State's 2012 football schedule, announced on Wednesday.

The Mountaineers will be in pursuit of another Southern Conference championship. Their run of six straight crowns ended this season, when they finished 8-4.

For the first time since 2001, ASU will open the campaign at home, hosting fellow FCS power Montana at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Sept. 1. ASU and Montana, from the Big Sky Conference, are the nation's winningest FCS programs since 2005 with 79 and 76 victories, respectively.

The Mountaineers will then make their second trip to Greenville, N.C., in four years to face long-time rival East Carolina, from Conference USA, on Sept. 8. ASU owns a 19-11 edge in the all-time series.

ASU's other non-conference game is at home against Coastal Carolina of the Big South Conference on Sept. 29.

"This is a good, tough schedule that is great for players, coaches and fans alike," ASU head coach Jerry Moore said. "I've always felt that you get better by playing tough teams, so we're looking forward to the opportunity to challenge ourselves against teams like Montana, East Carolina and Coastal Carolina."

Within the SoCon, ASU will host The Citadel (Sept. 15), Elon (Oct. 6), Wofford (Oct. 20) and Furman (Nov. 10), and travel to Chattanooga (Sept. 22), Samford (Oct. 13), Oct. 27 (Western Carolina) and Georgia Southern (Nov. 10).

ASU's bye week is on Nov. 17.

2012 APPALACHIAN STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

SEPT. 1, MONTANA, BOONE, N.C.

Sept. 8, at East Carolina, Greenville, S.C.

SEPT. 15, THE CITADEL*, BOONE, N.C.

Sept. 22, at Chattanooga*, Chattanooga, Tenn.

SEPT. 29, COASTAL CAROLINA, BOONE, N.C.

OCT. 6, ELON*, BOONE, N.C.

Oct. 13, at Samford*, Birmingham, Ala.

OCT. 20, WOFFORD*, BOONE, N.C.

Oct. 27, at Western Carolina*, Cullowhee, N.C.

Nov. 3, at Georgia Southern*, Statesboro, Ga.

NOV. 10, FURMAN*, BOONE, N.C.

*-Southern Conference game