Rams Home Opener Sept. 18 on ESPN2 vs. U of Minn.

Fort Collins (CSU-SID) - Colorado State University's home opener Sept. 18 against the University of Minnesota will begin at 8 p.m. and be televised live nationally by ESPN2.

The game will be the first in the newly-expanded Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. Stadium contractors are currently adding nearly 5,000 permanent seats in the north end zone of the stadium as part of a $15.2 million gift presented 13 months ago by Pat Stryker and the Bohemian Foundation.

A year from now, the renovation and expansion will be completed with a new artificial playing surface, the addition of 12 luxury suites, an expanded Rams Horn premium club level seating area, renovated press box, and other fan amenities.

"It is very exciting for our football program to host a Big 10 Conference team in this stadium for the first time in school history," said Director of Athletics Mark Driscoll.

"The presence of national television coverage by ESPN2 will only add to the excitement of the evening."

The announcement raises to five national or regional appearances currently on CSU's schedule. The team's opener at Colorado Sept. 4 will be carried by Fox Sports Network at 5 p.m. MT.

A week later the Rams play at Southern California in a game that will be shown by ABC-TV beginning at 6 p.m. MT.

CSU's game at San Diego State Oct. 16 will be shown on ABC-TV at 5 p.m.MT, and the team's Border War game with Wyoming Oct. 22 is scheduled to be shown by ESPN2 beginning at 7:30 p.m.