The University of Idaho Vandals open the 2009 football season on the road at New Mexico State Sept. 5 and on Sept. 12 at Washington but follow with their third successive season to feature six home games.

“It will create a very good home atmosphere,” coach Robb Akey said of home non-conference encounters with San Diego State (Sept. 19) and Colorado State (Oct. 3) to go with Western Athletic Conference games against Hawai`i, Louisiana Tech, Fresno State and Utah State.

Another plus to the 12-game slate is there is only one game ? Sept. 19 vs. San Diego State, on the same day as a home Washington State game.

“That is great for our fans of both schools and for the local business community,” Akey said.

The Idaho Alumni Association selected the Oct. 3 game vs. Colorado State to be Dads' Weekend and the Oct. 31 game vs. Louisiana Tech to be the annual Homecoming game.

Idaho home games kickoff at 2 p.m.

The complete schedule is:

September

        5              at New Mexico State *

        12           at Washington  

        19           vs. San Diego State

        26           at Northern Illinois

October

        3              Colorado State (Dads' Weekend)

        10           at San Jose State *

        17           Hawai`i *

        24           at Nevada *

        31           vs. Louisiana Tech * (Homecoming)

November

        7              Fresno State *

        14           at Boise State *

        21           bye

        28           vs. Utah State *

* Western Athletic Conference game