CONWAY, Ark _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears will open the 2009 football season with the longest trip in school history, to the island of Oahu.

The Bears will play the University of Hawaii at Aloha Stadium on Friday, Sept. 4 in Honolulu, the marquee game on a 12-game schedule that features six home games at Estes Stadium. UCA will also play a second Football Bowl Subdivision school, Western Kentucky, on Sept. 19 in Bowling Green, Ky., and will close the season against North Dakota, a fellow Division I transitional team, in Conway on Nov. 28.

“We are very pleased with our 2009 schedule,’ said UCA athletic director Brad Teague. “From being able to play an extra home game to having a “Bowl” game after the regular season ends sets us up for a great football schedule. This is also our first year to play two FBS programs in Hawaii and Western Kentucky.’

Teams that play at Hawaii are allowed by the NCAA to play a twelfth game during regular 11-game seasons. Hawaii, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, played in the BSC Sugar Bowl in January 2008, losing to Georgia.

“Not only is Hawaii paying all expenses of travel, ground transportation, lodging, and meals, but they will send us home with $125,000 guarantee,’ said Teague. “Additionally, the NCAA allows any program to play an extra game who plays Hawaii in the same year as incentive to get schools to travel to the islands. We are using this opportunity to play an additional home game so we are able to garner further revenues through ticket sales. This extra revenue will help our institution and program greatly.’

The UCA homes games include Glenville State on Sept. 26, Missouri S&T (formerly Missouri-Rolla) on Oct. 3 (Hall of Fame Weekend), Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 17, Nicholls State on Oct. 24 (Homecoming), Texas State on Nov. 7 and North Dakota on Nov. 28.

The Bears will play at Western Kentucky in Bowling Green, Ky., on Sept. 19, at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La., on Oct. 10, at Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond, La., on Oct. 31, at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas on Nov. 14 and at McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., on Nov. 21.

UCA finished 10-2 last season and a 6-1 record in the Southland Conference. The Bears are not eligible for postseason play until 2010 while transitioning from NCAA Division II to Division I. 

“Since both North Dakota and our program are not eligible for postseason play, we are allowed to play each other after the end of the regular season,’ Teague said. “We will play the Fighting Sioux in Conway in late November in what we are calling the “Reclassification Bowl.’

The Bears begin spring practice on Saturday, March 14. The annual Purple-Gray game will be held on April 17 at 6 p.m. at First Security Field at Estes Stadium, and will be broadcast live on KASR 92.7.