RUSTON ? Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Jim Oakes announced Thursday that he has signed a contract for a two-game football series with Southeastern Conference foe Mississippi State starting next year.

Tech will open the 2008 season Aug. 30 with Mississippi State at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston. According to the Tech record books, it will be the first time a current member of the SEC has played in Ruston since the Bulldogs hosted LSU in 1913.

?We are extremely excited about bringing Mississippi State to Joe Aillet Stadium for next year?s season opener,? Oakes said. ?This will be a great opportunity for our fans to help break the home attendance record and sell the stadium out. It should be an incredible atmosphere.?

Louisiana Tech set the single game home attendance record of 28,714 in a 17-16 win over UL-Monroe at Joe Aillet Stadium on Sept. 13, 1997.

"I'm very excited about the Mississippi State game," said Tech President Dr. Dan Reneau. "This is the type of opponent we think will bring crowds from both teams. I couldn't be more pleased."

Tech will return the trip to Starkville on Sept. 5, 2009.

Mississippi State leads the all-time series between the two programs 7-2, although Louisiana Tech defeated State 38-23 in Starkville in 1996, the last time the two teams played.

All-Time Series
1904, MSU 32-5
1908, MSU 47-0
1927, MSU 14-0
1938, MSU 48-0
1968, Tech 20-13
1980, MSU 31-11
1987, MSU 14-13
1988, MSU 21-14
1996, Tech 38-23