For the first time in the history of the Illinois State football program, the Redbirds will play a 12-game, regular-season schedule with the addition of Florida Atlantic to the 2003 gridiron slate Monday.
The Birds will host the Owls on September 27 at Hancock Stadium for the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Illinois State will make a tentative return trip to Florida Atlantic for the 2004 season on September 25 at Pro Player Stadium, home to the National Football Leagues Miami Dolphins.
Florida Atlantic finished the 2002 campaign with a 2-9 record, which was only the second season of its existence. The Owls are coached by Howard Schnellenberger, who served as the head coach with Oklahoma, Louisville, Miami (Fla.) and in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts.
Head coach Denver Johnson is pleased with the addition of a seventh home game and is looking forward to the return trip next season.
The Florida Atlantic game is a great addition for our program and our fans, Johnson said. FAU is a young program, but Coach Schnellenberger has been in this business for a long time. It should prove to be a great series and I know all of our kids from Florida will be looking forward to playing in their home state next year.
This season will mark the first seven-game home schedule for the Redbirds since 1995.
Season ticket information for the 2003 Redbird football campaign is available at the Redbird Arena Ticket Office (309/438-8000).
