PROVO, Utah — Brigham Young University and Portland State University today announced the schools have finalized an agreement to play a football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017.
The addition of a season-opening game versus the Vikings gives BYU 13 games on its 2017 football schedule. The Cougars are scheduled to play six home games (PSU, Utah, Wisconsin, Boise State, San Jose State and UMass), six road contests (Utah State, Mississippi State, East Carolina, Fresno State, UNLV and Hawaii), and one neutral site matchup against LSU at NRG Stadium in Houston.
BYU was able to schedule an extra game, and play the Saturday prior to week one of the 2017 football season, due to NCAA exception rules that provide FBS teams that play in Hawaii an opportunity to schedule a 13th regular-season game.
BYU and PSU have never met before in football. The Vikings began playing football in 1947. Since 1987, PSU has appeared in the NCAA Division II playoffs seven times and the I-AA/FCS playoffs twice.
The Vikings are currently members of the Big Sky Conference and compete in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. In 2015, PSU finished with a record of 9-3 and was ranked No. 10 in the final FCS Coaches Poll. The Vikings received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs, where they lost in the second round to Northern Iowa.
BYU was founded in 1875 and began playing varsity football in 1922. The Cougars, who are currently an FBS independent in football, won a national championship in 1984, captured 23 conference titles and have qualified for 35 bowl games.
The final dates, kickoff times and broadcast plans for BYU's 2017 schedule will be announced at a later date. For more information on BYU football, visit BYUcougars.com.