Appalachian State University has agreed to a home-and-home football series with the University of Miami, the schools announced on Tuesday. Appalachian State will host the five-time national champion Hurricanes on Sept. 17, 2016 and travel to Miami for a rematch on Sept. 11, 2021.
“One of our goals is to play opponents in all sports that generate excitement among our University community, students, alumni and fans,” Appalachian State athletics director Doug Gillin said. “Miami definitely fits the description.
“It will be a great moment in the history of our University when the Mountaineers and Hurricanes square off at Kidd Brewer Stadium in September,” Gillin continued. “Such a momentous event wouldn’t be possible at Appalachian State if it weren’t for the hard work of so many people that made the transition to NCAA Division I FBS and the Sun Belt Conference possible.
“Finally, I’d like to thank head coach Scott Satterfield and our colleagues at Miami and North Carolina Central for making this happen on such short notice,” Gillin concluded.
September’s matchup at Kidd Brewer Stadium against Miami, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 2001 Associated Press national champion, will mark the first time that Appalachian State has ever hosted an opponent from one of college football’s five “power conferences.” Appalachian is now slated to host ACC foes in back-to-back seasons, as Miami’s visit in 2016 will be followed by a home contest against Wake Forest in 2017.
Additionally, Miami will play a Sun Belt opponent on the road for the first time.
“As someone who has been at Appalachian State for more than 20 years, I feel that bringing an opponent as recognizable as Miami to Boone is a milestone for our University,” Satterfield said. “We have great respect for Miami — not just for its tradition but for the very talented team it will bring to The Rock next season. I’m excited for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to compete at home against such a terrific program and for our fans to be a part of the experience.”
To make room for Miami on Appalachian State’s 2016 schedule, Appalachian and North Carolina Central mutually agreed to move their ‘16 matchup to a still-to-be-determined future date.
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