March 16, 2009

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Derek Dooley announced Wednesday that the university has signed a four-year contract to play the University of Houston in football starting in 2011.

The series will include two games in Ruston and two games in Houston with the first contest scheduled for Sept. 17, 2011 at Joe Aillet Stadium. The two teams will also meet in Ruston on Sept. 13, 2014.

LA Tech will travel down to Houston to face the Cougars on Sept. 8, 2012 and Sept. 7, 2013.

Houston leads the all-time series against Tech 3-2, although the Bulldogs won the last two meetings in the mid '90s.

This is the second four-year deal Tech has signed to play a Conference USA school as the Bulldogs are set to face Southern Mississippi at home in 2010 and 2013 and on the road in 2011 and 2014.\

"It is part of our scheduling philosophy to increase our exposure in recruiting areas outside of north Louisiana and to present an attractive home and away matchup for our fans," Dooley said. "Both Houston and Southern Miss fit that profile, and we are excited about developing a competitive relationship with the two schools."

Tech will also begin a home-and-home series against Navy this year as the Bulldogs face the Midshipmen on Sept. 12 in Annapolis, Maryland before getting a return game in 2010.

Dooley and Co. open spring practice Saturday with the spring game set for April 11 at 1 p.m.

Houston leads 3-2

1948, UH 40-33 in Houston

1988, UH 60-0 in Shreveport

1991, UH 73-3 in Houston

1994, LA Tech 32-7 in Ruston

1995, LA Tech 19-7 in Houston