North Carolina will play Georgia Southern in football next season on Oct. 10, a team official confirmed, filling its 12-game schedule with a second Football Championship Division (formerly Division I-AA team).
The opening in the Tar Heels' schedule occurred when coach Butch Davis opted to cancel a home-and-home series with Colorado.
This year's season-opener against McNeese State replaced one of those games, but they were unable to find another Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) foe to play because most major conferences schedule several years in advance, and usually want a home-and-home series.
UNC would not have been able to return a game for several seasons, because its schedule is so full.
UNC also wanted to play a seventh home game.
The ACC is expected to release its schedule Tuesday. Carolina's other three non-conference games next season are against The Citadel (a I-AA team) and East Carolina, and at Connecticut.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at
Comments
Why did Butch back out?
Tue, 02/10/2009 - 13:43 — noneyabusinessI don't remember if it was reported previously, was there a reason to back out of the Colorado series?
Weak as Water
Tue, 02/10/2009 - 12:16 — sdking1112As a long time season ticket holder I am embarrassed. This is not the kind of schedule you put together for a team on the rise. Butch should be ashamed. And, by the way, how can UNC justify charging $50 to watch a 1-AA team. If your going to keep doing this, and I have know doubt Butch will, lets see App State!
This Looks Bad!
Tue, 02/10/2009 - 12:00 — jeromfitzThis is weak schedule if you want to contend with BCS. You might surprise yourself and be undefeated in this year schedule. I wish you could have found a division one team in the SEC bottom standing team or BIG East bottom standing team. This is very weak and will be disappointment if you lose. I know everyone hates coming to Chapel Hill to play a good Tar Heel football team.
Playing two Div II teams
Tue, 02/10/2009 - 00:43 — nascarpackneckPlaying two Div II teams that is WEAK!
Agree
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 11:58 — SurferCan you say Murray State and Gardner-Webb?
not the only one
Tue, 02/10/2009 - 08:26 — JamuncwRumor has it that state is playing 2 also, but we will find out today
USC
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 23:49 — gvillegatri'd like to see UNC and USC play every year. that would be the ultimate rival game. both schools hate each other already and they hardly ever play.
I wish the PSU thing would have worked.
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 23:30 — UNC1998I understand the home and home request, though. I'm looking forward to seeing the Heels this year and in the future. I'd like to see S. Carolina and Tennessee with regularity in Chapel Hill.
unfortunate
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 21:38 — gvillegatrbut you could see it coming a mile a way. 2 Div 1-AA teams in one year. I guess UNC is officially moving to the SEC.
UNC Football Schedule
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 21:26 — phoffman4How about adding App State?
booked up
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 21:37 — gvillegatrtoo bad. ASU has homecoming that weekend against NC Central Technical College. maybe next year!