LEXINGTON, Va. - Five home games and the return of "The Military Classic of the South" football rivalry with The Citadel highlight the 2011 VMI football schedule announced February 15.

The Keydets will face Delaware State in the season opener at Foster Stadium on September 3 in the first ever meeting between the teams. The home schedule also features Big South Conference games against Charleston Southern (October 15), Stony Brook (October 22) and Gardner-Webb (November 19).

The Keydets will resume their traditional rivalry with The Citadel as they travel to Charleston, S.C. October 29 to battle for the Silver Shako in "The Military Classic of the South". The series took a hiatus following the 2007 season but resumes this fall after the schools signed a six-year agreement in 2009 to continue the rivalry.

VMI will also play a I-A opponent as it travels to Akron on September 24 to face the Zips of the Mid-American Conference. It will be VMI's first game against a MAC foe since the 2008 season when the Keydets played Ohio. VMI and Akron met one time previously in 1967.

The Keydets continue their two most-played rivalries in the school record books as they host William & Mary on September 10, and travel the following week on September 17 to play Richmond in the first VMI visit to Robins Stadium. The Keydets have squared off against the Tribe 87 times and have played the Spiders in 86 meetings.

"We are excited to announce our 2011 football schedule," said VMI athletic director Donny White. "I feel like our team is making strong progress under Coach Sparky Woods and our schedule, although challenging, will be a good test for our emerging program.  We have an attractive home schedule starting with Delaware State and William & Mary and concluding with three Big South Conference games.  I am also pleased that The Citadel comes back on our schedule."

Kickoffs for home games are expected to remain at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets for the 2011 VMI Football season will go on sale July 10 at 10 a.m. and can be ordered by going on-line at www.vmikeydets.com or calling 540-464-7266.

2011 VMI Football Schedule

Sep. 3               DELAWARE STATE (Hall of Fame)         1:30 p.m.

Sep. 10             WILLIAM & MARY (Reunion-1)                1:30 p.m.

Sep. 17             at Richmond                                          TBA

Sep. 24             at Akron                                                TBA

Oct. 1               Open

Oct. 8               at Coastal Carolina                                 TBA

Oct. 15             CHARLESTON SOUTHERN (Parents Weekend) 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 22             STONY BROOK (Reunion-2/Homecoming)           1:30 p.m.         

Oct. 29             at The Citadel                                        TBA

Nov. 5               at Liberty                                               TBA

Nov. 12             at Presbyterian                                      TBA

Nov. 19             GARDNER-WEBB (Ring Figure)              1:30 p.m.

HOME GAMES IN CAPS