BYU, LSU to meet in the 2017 AdvoCare Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium

PROVO, Utah — Brigham Young University and Louisiana State University will open the 2017 college football season at the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff on Sept. 2, at NRG Stadium—home of the Houston Texans of the National Football League. The game will mark the first ever meeting between the schools. 

 

“We are thrilled to announce that LSU and BYU will be competing in the 2017 AdvoCare Texas Kickoff game at NRG Stadium to open the college football season,” said Jamey Rootes, President of the Houston Texans and Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. “We look forward to hosting these two great football programs and their passionate fan bases for what has become a Labor Day weekend tradition in Houston. This game reinforces the reputation that Houston and NRG Stadium have earned as a premier destination for college football.”

 

The 2017 AdvoCare Texas Kickoff will mark the fifth year of an eight-year agreement between Lone Star Sports & Entertainment and ESPN Events to bring a top college football game to NRG Stadium to start the college football season. The inaugural AdvoCare Texas Kickoff was first played in 2013, with Oklahoma State defeating Mississippi State 21-3. This past season, LSU defeated Wisconsin 28-24. Other games currently scheduled for the future include Texas A&M versus Arizona State in 2015, with Oklahoma taking on Houston in 2016. 

 

“We continue to be pleased with the growth of the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff,” said Pete Derzis, Sr. Vice President, ESPN Events. “Both teams have a great fan following and rich history, which will continue to bring a high level of interest to our game.”

 

NRG Stadium, with a seating capacity of 71,054, opened in August 2002 and was the first facility in the NFL to have a retractable roof. BYU played a regular season game at the stadium in 2013, defeating the University of Houston 47-46.

 

“Any football team or fan who loves the game would be thrilled to have the chance to play a traditional powerhouse like LSU of the SEC in an awesome venue like NRG Stadium,” said BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe. “We are excited and grateful for the invitation to play in such a great game.”

 

LSU was founded in 1853 and began playing football in 1893. The Tigers have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since its inception in 1932 and have won 11 SEC football titles. In addition, LSU has played in 46 bowl games and won three national championships in 1958, 2003 and 2007.

 

“We are excited about the opportunity to return to Houston for the 2017 season opener against BYU,” said Joe Alleva, LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. “We opened the 2014 season against Wisconsin in NRG Stadium and the turnout and response from our fans far exceeded our expectations. Houston is a great city with a huge LSU alumni base and NRG Stadium continues to be one of the great venues for football. We look forward to opening the 2017 season against BYU in Houston in what should be another great start to the football season.”

 

BYU was founded in 1875 and began playing collegiate football in 1922. Over the past 40 seasons, only four FBS programs—Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Florida State—have won more games than BYU. The Cougars have played in 33 bowl games, won 23 conference titles and captured the 1984 National Championship. 

 

“As a program we want to play the biggest names on the biggest stages and facing LSU at NRG Stadium certainly achieves both of those objectives,” said BYU Head Football Coach Bronco Mendenhall. “We look forward to this challenge and opportunity to play an outstanding SEC team. It’s another unique marquee matchup for our football program and our fans.”

 

LSU is the third SEC team to be on BYU’s schedule since going independent in 2011. The Cougars defeated Ole Miss 14-13 in 2011 and will face Missouri on November 15, 2015, at historic Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. BYU has an overall record of 5-4 versus current SEC programs.

 

Over the years, BYU has played in numerous NFL stadiums such as Cowboys Stadium, NRG Stadium, Louisiana Superdome, Qualcomm Stadium, Alltell Stadium, Pontiac Silverdome, The Meadowlands, Veterans Stadium, Orange Bowl, Anaheim Stadium and others. The Cougars are scheduled to play in several other NFL venues over the next five seasons including Arrowhead Stadium (2015), FedEx Field (2016), University of Phoenix Stadium (2016), Qualcomm Stadium (2016, 2018), NRG Stadium (2017) and Gillette Stadium (2018, 2019).

 

Detailed information regarding television, tickets sales and kickoff time will be determined at a later date.