LEXINGTON, Va. - The first gridiron meeting with the University of Virginia in 19 years highlights the 2010 Virginia Military Institute football schedule announced Thursday.
VMI will visit Charlottesville September 25 and play the Cavaliers for the first time since the 1991 season. The Keydets and Virginia had previously faced each other 81 times in football with the series dating back to 1893.
The Virginia game also marks the first time the Keydets have played an ACC opponent since 2005 when they traveled to Durham, N.C. to tangle with Duke.
VMI will play its first four games in the Commonwealth of Virginia, opening the season at home September 4 against Lock Haven. It marks the sixth straight season the Keydets have opened the season at home and the second visit to Foster Stadium by Lock Haven which opened the 2007 season against VMI. The Keydets resume their longtime rivalry against William & Mary the following week at Zable Stadium in Williamsburg. The state rivals had played continuously since 1944, but did not face each other in 2009.
The Keydets open Big South Conference action at home against Presbyterian October 2 before heading to Long Island to challenge conference co-champions Stony Brook on October 9.
For the second straight season, VMI will journey to West Point, N.Y. to face Army at Michie Stadium. The Black Knights prevailed over the Keydets, 22-17, last November in the 13th meeting between the military rivals.
VMI's games with Virginia and Army also mark the first time the Keydets have competed against two FBS (formerly I-A) opponents in the same football season since 1985 when Virginia and North Carolina were on the slate.
The Keydets will take on Old Dominion at Foreman Field in Norfolk, Va. on November 13 in the second ever meeting between the schools and the first visit by VMI to Norfolk since 1995 when it closed out the season against Georgia Southern in the Oyster Bowl game.
VMI will conclude the 2010 campaign on the road November 20 against Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C.
Home game kickoff times are expected to remain at the traditional 1:30 p.m. start with Saturday morning parades held on Post.
Tickets for the 2010 season will go on sale on July 1 and can be ordered at www.vmikeydets.com or by calling 540-464-7266.
2010 VMI Football Schedule
Sept. 4 LOCK HAVEN (1st Reunion Weekend)
Sept. 11 at William & Mary
Sept. 18 Open Date
Sept. 25 at Virginia
Oct. 2 PRESBYTERIAN * (Homecoming-2nd Reunion Weekend)
Oct. 9 at Stony Brook *
Oct. 16 LIBERTY * (Parents Weekend)
Oct. 23 at Charleston Southern *
Oct. 30 at Army
Nov. 6 COASTAL CAROLINA * (Military Appreciation Day)
Nov. 13 at Old Dominion
Nov. 20 at Gardner-Webb *
Home games in Bold
* Denotes Big South Conference game
Home game kickoffs at 1:30 p.m.
Road game kickoffs announced at later date
