Cougars Announce 2002 Football Schedule

PROVO -- In addition to a tough Mountain West Conference schedule, an equally challenging non-conference slate will test the Cougars in their 80th season of competition.

BYU will open the season in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29 against Big East foe Syracuse. While the two teams last met during the 2000 season, this year's contest will mark the first-ever meeting between the two teams in Provo. The season-opener is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN to a national audience.

On Friday, Sept. 6, the Cougars will have revenge on their minds as Hawaii comes to Provo, marking the first time the Warriors have played in Edwards Stadium since the 1997 season. BYU has never lost to Hawaii in Provo, posting a 7-0 record against the Warriors. The game is also scheduled to be broadcast to a national television audience on ESPN.

Following two straight games in Provo to open the season, the Cougars will take to the road for four straight games, spanning a stretch of six weeks. The Cougars will play at Nevada, Georgia Tech and at Utah State.

The game at Georgia Tech will mark the first-ever meeting between the two teams, while BYU and Utah State will be competing for the 76th time since the 1922 season. Having won 16 of the last 17 meetings, the Cougars have posted a 39-33-3 record over the Aggies.

The four-game road swing will end in Colorado Springs on Oct. 12 as the Cougars open MWC play at Air Force.

With six weeks between home games, the Cougars will return to Provo on Saturday, Oct. 19 against conference foe UNLV. Less than one week later, BYU will travel to Fort Collins, Colo., to take on Colorado State on Oct. 24. The Thursday night game is scheduled to be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Again the Cougars will return to Provo for three of their remaining four games, including games against San Diego State, Wyoming and New Mexico.

The 2002 regular season will conclude on Nov. 23 in Salt Lake City as the Cougars will take on Utah in the 78th meeting between the two schools, dating back to 1922.

Date       Opponent       Location               Time   TV
Aug. 29    Syracuse       Provo, Utah            TBA    ESPN
Sept. 6    Hawaii         Provo, Utah            TBA    ESPN
Sept. 14   Nevada         Reno, Nevada           TBA    TBA
Sept. 21   Georgia Tech   Atlanta, Ga.           TBA    TBA
Oct. 4     Utah State	     Logan, Utah            TBA    TBA
Oct. 12    Air Force      Colorado Springs       TBA    TBA
Oct. 19    UNLV           Provo, Utah            TBA    TBA
Oct. 24    Colorado St.   Fort Collins, Colo.    TBA    ESPN
Nov. 2     San Diego St.  Provo, Utah            TBA    TBA
Nov. 9     Wyoming        Provo, Utah	            TBA    TBA
Nov. 16    New Mexico     Provo, Utah            TBA    TBA
Nov. 23    Utah           Salt Lake City, Utah   TBA    TBA