COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Before the 2017 campaign kicks off in three weeks, the Tennessee Tech football team can already mark down a date on the calendar for the 2018 season as Utah State announced its contest against the Golden Eagles, set for Sept. 15, 2018.

 

The Aggies will be the 33^rd contest against Football Bowl Subdivision competition for Tech and will be the Golden Eagles' third foray into the Mountain West Conference, but the fourth opponent from the league. Tech faced Air Force on Sept. 8, 2001. UNLV is also a member of the conference, but the Golden Eagles played against them in 1985, long before the Mountain West Conference started operation in 1999. The Golden Eagles also faced Texas Christian in 2010, when they were ranked No. 4 by the Associated Press – two years before the Horned Frogs departed for the Big 12.

 

"We like having this game on our schedule because it's going to be a new experience for these guys," said Tech head coach Marcus Satterfield. "It's a different part of the country and a completely different style of football. The game will certainly be a challenge for us, but we're looking forward to taking it on."

 

Including this season's FBS matchup against Ball State in September, the Golden Eagles will have faced 27 different higher-tier teams since the Division I-A/I-AA split in 1978.

 

Utah State, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Matt Wells, finished 3-9 in 2016, 1-7 in in conference play. Wells is 28-25 in his first four seasons with the Aggies, including a 19-13 record in the Mountain West.

 

Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles open their 2017 schedule on Aug. 31 as Tech hosts Football Championship Subdivision No. 25 Western Illinois. Season tickets are now on sale for Tech football – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or log on to TTUsports.com to order.