Feb. 26, 2008

DALLAS (SMU) - The June Jones era and the 2008 football season kick off with an ESPN-televised Conference USA showdown at Rice on Friday, Aug. 29, it was announced today.

Following the Friday night opener in Houston, SMU returns home for Jones' Ford Stadium debut on Sept. 6 as the Mustangs host Texas State. On Sept. 13, SMU travels west to Lubbock to take on Big 12 foe Texas Tech.

The Battle for the Iron Skillet returns to Dallas in 2008 as TCU comes to Ford Stadium on Sept. 20. SMU won the last meeting with TCU in Dallas back in 2005. The Mustangs then return to Conference USA play with a pair of road games at Tulane (Sept. 27) and at UCF (Oct. 4).

Two big C-USA West games follow as Tulsa comes to Ford on Oct. 11 and Houston visits on Oct. 18. The Mustangs then take a break from C-USA play as they travel to Annapolis, Md., to tackle Navy in a non-conference match-up.

After an open date, Memphis will come to Dallas on Nov. 8 and SMU will visit El Paso to take on UTEP on Nov. 15. Following their second open date of the month, SMU will host Southern Miss for Senior Day on Nov. 29.

In all, SMU will battle eight teams that advanced to bowl play in 2007 - Texas Tech, TCU, UCF, Tulsa, Houston, Navy, Memphis and Southern Miss.

Other television appearances will be announced in the coming weeks. Please note that all dates are subject to change for TV.

SMU opens Spring Practice on Monday, March 3.

2008 SMU Football Schedule
Aug. 29 - at Rice
Sept. 6 - TEXAS STATE
Sept. 13 - at Texas Tech
Sept. 20 - TCU
Sept. 27 - at Tulane
Oct. 4 - at UCF
Oct. 11 - TULSA
Oct. 18 - HOUSTON
Oct. 25 - at Navy
Nov. 8 - MEMPHIS
Nov. 15 - at UTEP
Nov. 29 - SOUTHERN MISS