Georgia State set for CAA debut in 2012

Jan 19, 2012 - 5:33 PM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Georgia State announced on Thursday a 2012 football schedule highlighted by the Panthers' first season in CAA Football and a non-conference game at the University of Tennessee.

When Georgia State kicks off its third season will depend on the Atlanta Falcons' schedule at the Georgia Dome, where the Panthers play home games. They will host South Carolina State on Thursday, Aug. 30 or Friday, Aug. 31.

Georgia State will go to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville to take on Tennessee on Sept. 8. The Panthers will be facing a SEC team for the second time.

Coach Bill Curry's squad will then host UTSA in its final non-conference game Sept. 15. UTSA will be transitioning to the FBS in its second season as a program.

The rest of Georgia State's schedule will be in conference, including games against four of the five CAA teams that qualified for the 2011 FCS playoffs in New Hampshire, James Madison, Old Dominion and Maine.

"This is another significant milestone in the development of Georgia State football as we enter conference play for the first time and have the opportunity to play for a championship," Curry said. "We know we have a great challenge ahead of us because we are entering the toughest FCS conference in the nation."

Georgia State's first CAA game is scheduled for Sept. 22 against visiting Richmond.

The Panthers also will host CAA foes New Hampshire (Oct. 6), Villanova (Oct. 20) on Homecoming and Old Dominion (Nov. 3).

They will go on the road for CAA games at William & Mary (Sept, 29), Rhode Island (Oct. 13), James Madison (Oct. 27) and Maine (Nov. 10).

2012 GEORGIA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Home Games at the Georgia Dome

Aug. 30 or 31, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE

Sept. 8, at Tennessee

Sept. 15, UTSA

Sept. 22, RICHMOND*

Sept. 29, at William & Mary*

Oct. 6, NEW HAMPSHIRE*

Oct. 13, at Rhode Island*

Oct. 20, VILLANOVA* (Homecoming)

Oct. 27, at James Madison*

Nov. 3, OLD DOMINION*

Nov. 10, at Maine*

* - CAA Football game