Dallas, Texas -- Home games with four 2000 bowl teams highlight Southern Methodist University's 2001 football schedule, announced today by Mustang Director of Athletics Jim Copeland.

"The schedule is an attractive one," said Copeland. "I don't think many schools around the country will play four bowl teams at home. We have a good, challenging schedule at Ford Stadium."

SMU opens its 2001 season on Sept. 1 at Louisiana Tech, who joins the Western Athletic Conference this summer. The Mustangs home opener is one week later on Sept. 8 against arch-rival TCU, which played in the Mobile Bowl last season.

Other bowl teams that come to Gerald J. Ford Stadium are North Carolina State (Micron PC) for Parents Weekend on Sept. 22, UTEP (Humanitarian) for Homecoming on Oct. 27 and Fresno State (Silicon Valley) on Nov. 10.

SMU's other non-conference game is at North Carolina on Sept. 15 and the Mustangs open home WAC play on Oct. 6 against Hawaii.

Game times and SMU's television schedule will be announced at a later date. The Mustangs will welcome back 18 starters (10 on defense, eight on offense) in the fall.

The complete 2001 Mustang football schedule is listed below.

2001 SMU Football Schedule

Note -- Television schedule and game times will be announced at a later date