Auburn replaces Pittsburgh on Clemson football schedule

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn and Clemson will meet in a home-and-home series in 2010 and 2011

Clemson will visit Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 18, 2010 and Auburn will make a return trip on Sept. 17, 2011. The Auburn series replaces the two-game set that Clemson had scheduled with the University of Pittsburgh during the same seasons.

"The two-game series with Auburn will certainly be exciting for our fans and our players," said Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden. "I have coached at Auburn (1991-96), so I know how intense their fans are when it comes to their football program. There really are a lot of similarities in the two schools. I am sure it will be a series that will be nationally televised and bring considerable exposure to both programs.

"Many times when future non-conference games are announced, they are long off on the calendar. But the freshmen on our team this year will play in that 2010 game at Auburn when they are seniors, and if they redshirt they will play in both games."

Auburn and Clemson have met 45 times, but haven't played in the regular season since 1971. Auburn beat Clemson 21-17 in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1, 1998 and holds a 32-11-2 series advantage.

"Clemson has an outstanding program, and it will be exciting to renew a rivalry that dates back over 100 years," Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said. "This is a continuation of our commitment to schedule quality nonconference opponents.

"The SEC-ACC matchup is one that all Auburn and Clemson fans can look forward to. The home-and-home series will also be beneficial to both schools' fans with both campuses being so close."