Lions unveil 2012 football schedule

Two games in the Alamodome, a return trip to Cowboys Stadium and the first contest against a Division I FBS opponent in program history highlight the 2012 Texas A&M University-Commerce football schedule, which was released Monday.

The Lions, coming off a 1-9 campaign in 2011, will open the season at home against Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday, Sept. 1, before traveling to San Antonio to take on FBS school UT-San Antonio in the Alamodome on Sept. 8.

The following Friday, Sept. 14, the Lions will be back at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington to take on defending Lone Star Conference champion Midwestern State as part of the Lone Star Football Festival, which will be a two-day six-game event starting in 2012.

The Lions will play their first conference home game Sept. 29 after a bye week, hosting Texas A&M-Kingsville for the 2012 edition of the Chenault Cup before returning to the Alamodome Oct. 6 to face Incarnate Word.

Tarleton State will visit Commerce for a President's Cup matchup on Oct. 13, and the Lions will head out on the road to face Angelo State on Oct. 20.

Homecoming will be Oct. 27, when the Lions host Abilene Christian before hitting the road one last time against Eastern New Mexico in Blackwater Draw.

The 2012 seniors will be recognized prior to the Senior Day game, which is also the season finale for the Lions, on Nov. 10 against West Texas A&M.

A&M-Commerce fans can see the 2012 team for the first time Saturday, April 21 during the annual spring game, scheduled for 2 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.