Richmond, Sam Houston to meet in 2017

Feb 11, 2016 - 7:36 PM (STATS) - High-profile intersectional games between FCS programs are at a premium next season, but there's a big first-time meeting to help kick off the following one.

Richmond and Sam Houston State, playoff semifinalists this past season, announced Thursday they will face off at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas, on Aug. 31, 2017.

The two national powers have never met before. Richmond, from CAA Football, won the FCS national title in 2008, while Southland Conference member Sam Houston was a finalist in 2011 and '12, making the semifinals in four of the past five seasons.

"Sam Houston is pleased to join with the University of Richmond in announcing this tremendous intersectional matchup," Bearkats athletic director Bobby Williams said. "Any time we can bring a FCS opponent to play here in Huntsville is great. But to bring a program with the rich football resume of the University of Richmond is special."

For Richmond, the matchup takes the place of an originally scheduled game against Boston College.

Sam Houston went 11-4 in 2015 and was third in the final STATS FCS Top 25, while Richmond was 10-4 and ranked fourth. Over the past 10 years, the programs have combined for 167 wins, eight conference championships, 10 playoff appearances and 23 playoff victories.