BYU football: Cougars schedule Portland State Vikings

BYU football took advantage of a NCAA rule to schedule an extra game in 2017. Against who? The Portland State Vikings.

BYU football announced today that a game has been scheduled with Portland State in 2017.

The game will be on Saturday, Aug. 26 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. One week later, the Cougars will meet the LSU Tigers at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Adding the Vikings gives BYU football 13 games in its 2017 schedule, which typically isn’t allowed by the NCAA. However, there is a rule in place that allows FBS teams that play in Hawaii to schedule a 13th game. BYU football travels to Hawaii to on Nov. 25.

Portland State was just 3-8 this season, but last season the Vikings were very good. They finished 9-3 on the season, made the FCS playoffs with an at-large bid and were ranked No. 10 in the final FCS Coaches Poll.

The game will be the first ever between BYU and Portland State. PSU began playing football in 1947 and has made the NCAA Division II playoffs and FCS playoffs a combined nine times since 1987.

BYU football’s 2017 schedule also features home games against Utah, Wisconsin, Boise State, San Jose State and UMass and road contests with Utah State, Mississippi State, East Carolina, Fresno State and UNLV.

Final game dates, kickoff times and broadcast plans for BYU football’s 2017 schedule will be announced at a later date.

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BYU will wrap up its 2016 season on Dec. 21 at the Poinsettia Bowl, playing former Mountain West Conference rival Wyoming. The Cowboys finished the season 8-5 after narrowly losing to San Diego State in the MWC championship game, 27-24.

The Cougars and Cowboys kick off at 7pm on Dec. 21. The game can be viewed on ESPN.