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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

BYU to play Idaho, other WAC schools in football

DENVER – The Western Athletic Conference and Brigham Young University have entered into a scheduling agreement as announced today by WAC Commissioner Karl Benson. With BYU declaring that it will be an independent in the sport of football effective with the 2011 season, five WAC teams – Hawai‘i, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State and San Jose State – will provide the Cougars with five games in the 2011 season and four games in the 2012 season. For the 2011 season, WAC schools will host two games against BYU, while three teams will travel to Provo. In 2012, BYU will play two games in WAC stadiums and host two WAC teams in Provo. Specific opponents and dates will be announced in the future. Utah State has elected not to participate in the agreement as they are completing an existing three-game contract with BYU that will take the two schools through the 2012 season. As another part of the scheduling agreement, Idaho and BYU have also arranged a home-and-home men’s basketball series over two years starting in 2011-12. “This agreement provides for an excellent opportunity for the WAC to reestablish a relationship with BYU that dates back to the early 60’s and gives our football programs a quality opponent, both at home and on the road,” said Benson. “Also, these games will provide our teams with an opponent to fill a scheduling void due to the previously announced departure of Boise State. And in addition, this arrangement will be very beneficial to our television partner, ESPN, as it will supply a greater inventory of WAC games to be televised.”