LITTLE ROCK — Central Arkansas released its 2012 football schedule today, with a season-opening trip to Ole Miss highlighting the slate.
The Bears, coming off a 9-4 overall record and 6-1 mark in the Southland Conference and an appearance in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, will take on the Rebels on Sept. 1 in Oxford.
Ole Miss is the former program of Bears' senior-to-be Jesse Grandy.
They'll follow up the date with former Arkansas State coach Hugh Freeze's new team with a trip to Murray State on Sept. 8, then open Southland Conference play with their home opener, a Sept. 22 game against Sam Houston State on First Security Field at Estes Stadium.
The schedule includes addition home games against conference foes Nicholls State on Oct. 6, Lamar on Oct. 20 and Northwestern State on Nov. 3. The Bears will close out their regular season at home against non-conference opponent Eastern Illinois on Nov. 17.
UCA 2012 football schedule
Sept. 1 at Ole Miss
Sept. 8 at Murray State
Sept. 22 Sam Houston State
Sept. 29 at Stephen F. Austin
Oct. 6 Nicholls State
Oct. 13 at McNeese State
Oct. 20 Lamar
Oct. 27 at Southeastern Louisiana
Nov. 3 Northwestern State
Nov. 17 Eastern Illinois