EUGENE, Ore., Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Oregon will christen an expanded Autzen Stadium next year with an eight-game home football schedule that includes the first ever appearance by a Southeastern Conference opponent, athletic director Bill Moos said Friday.
The Ducks will play a 12 game schedule in 2002, beginning with an Aug. 31 game against Mississippi State kicking off four straight non-conference home games against Fresno State, Idaho, and Portland State. Oregon then opens Pac 10 play at Arizona and UCLA, before returning home to host Arizona State, USC and Stanford.
The Ducks will travel to Washington State, and Oregon State, but will face Washington at home according to next year's schedule.
"A slate featuring strong Pac 10 competition will be blended with several non-conference foes that should attract national attention," he said.
Oregon's 12 opponents have a combined 68-52 record so far this year, with six of the eight teams visiting Eugene next year still vying for post season play.
It will also mark the first time Mississippi State and Oregon have met and the Duck's first game against an SEC opponent since 1977, while the Ducks and Portland State will meet for the first time since 1994. The Ducks are scheduled to return to Starkville, Miss., the following season to complete the home-and-home series against the Bulldogs.
In addition, Moss added that Oregon had reached agreement for a home-and-home football series against Purdue in 2008 and 2009. Also the university has reached a verbal agreement to resume a two-game series with Colorado in 2012 and 2013, as well as is engaged in conversations to play Army in 2009 and 2010.
Moss said Oregon will begin construction immediately following its Dec. 1 game with Oregon State to expand the seating capacity at Autzen Stadium from 41,698 to approximately 53,800 seats in time for the 2002 season.
