UNC highlights Dogs' 2009 slate

The Citadel's 2009 football schedule includes just one game against an Football Bowl Subdivision team — at North Carolina — and the first matchup with state rival Presbyterian College since 1991.

The 11-game schedule, announced Wednesday, with five home games, including the Parents Day contest against Furman on Oct. 24 and the homecoming game with Wofford on Nov. 7.

Also coming to Johnson Hagood Stadium are defending Southern Conference champion Appalachian State and SoCon newcomer Samford.

The Bulldogs kick off the 2009 season on Sept. 5 at resurgent North Carolina, which was 8-5 last season under coach Butch Davis. That will be the only guarantee game against a Football Bowl Subdivision team for the Bulldogs, who have played two such games in four of the last five seasons, including Clemson and Florida in 2008, when The Citadel finished 4-8.

An open date and a Sept. 19 visit to Princeton precede The Citadel's home opener on Sept. 26 against Presbyterian College, which has moved from Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision and just lost coach Bobby Bentley.

Bentley resigned this week after seasons of 6-5 and 4-8 at Presbyterian to return to Byrnes High School, where he will be offensive coordinator as well as athletic director for Spartanburg District 5. Offensive line coach Doug Malone is the Blue Hose's interim coach.

The Citadel last played the Blue Hose in 1991, taking a 33-10 win, and has won 10 straight in the series.

SoCon road trips include games at Elon, Western Carolina, Chattanooga and Georgia Southern.

Official game times are to be announced.

2009 Citadel football schedule

(Times TBA)

Sept. 5 at North Carolina

Sept. 12 Open date

Sept. 19 at Princeton

Sept. 26 Presbyterian

Oct. 3 Appalachian State

Oct. 10 at Elon

Oct. 17 at Western Carolina

Oct. 24 Furman (Parents Day)

Oct. 31 Samford

Nov. 7 Wofford (Homecoming)

Nov. 14 at Chattanooga

Nov. 21 at Ga. Southern