Once UND makes the move to Division I in 2008, the Sioux hope their football program will be aligned with the Great West Conference.
The Sioux already have taken a step in that direction.
UND will play Great West Conference member Southern Utah on Sept. 8 in Cedar City. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
After the 2007 season, Southern Utah will be one of only three schools remaining in the Great West Conference. Current members North Dakota State and South Dakota State will leave the Great West for the Gateway Conference in 2008.
Southern Utah, UC Davis and Cal Poly will be the three remaining Great West teams. However, it's expected UND and South Dakota, which also is moving to Division I in 2008, will be aligned with the Great West, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) league.
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"It'll be a fun game," UND coach Dale Lennon said. "We're hoping to get into the Great West Conference. This hopefully will be a start."
UND has signed a two-year contract with Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds will play in Grand Forks in 2008.
Southern Utah finished 3-8 last season. North Dakota State, which won the Great West title, beat the Thunderbirds 31-7. South Dakota State beat Southern Utah 31-21.
With the Southern Utah game, UND's schedule is now at nine games - eight of them North Central Conference contests. UND is still looking for one or two more games, but nothing had been finalized as of Wednesday, Lennon said.
The Sioux are scheduled to begin spring football practice next week.
