CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Thunderbird football program has announced a three game series with Dixie State, which will begin on September 5, 2020, which will be the first game on the Division I FCS level for the Trailblazers. The first game of the series will be played in Cedar City.

"We're excited to renew the rivalry with Dixie State, and I'm sure it will be something that excites both communities for a very long time," SUU head coach Demario Warren said.

Game two of the series will be played in Cedar City on September 3, 2022, while the third game of the announced series will be played at Dixie State on September 7, 2024.

Southern Utah and Dixie State last squared off in 2010 as the Thunderbirds were able to shutout Dixie State 52-0. The two teams also met in 2009 in a contest the Thunderbirds won 36-7.

The 2009 contest set an attendance record for Eccles Coliseum at the time, as 10,028 fans filled the stadium in Cedar City. The Coliseum's current attendance record was set in the Second Round of the FCS Playoffs, as 11,811 fans packed the stands to watch Southern Utah and Weber State square off.

That same matchup was the first time the two schools had played football against each other since 1962.

"These games will be exciting matchups for the entire Southern Utah community, and will provide a fun rivalry for the student-athletes at both institutions," SUU Athletic Director Debbie Corum said. "I can already feel the thrill of anticipation as we kickoff that first game in 2020. Our competitors make us stronger so we welcome the challenge of having new Division I competition that is so geographically close to us. This will push us to new heights, beginning with that first game. I appreciate Coach Warren seeing this vision as well, and to Jason Boothe, Dixie AD, for his cooperation in making this happen."

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