FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona University football team opens its 2008 home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 3:05 p.m. in the Walkup Skydome against New Mexico Highlands in a game presented by NAU Army ROTC. The game will mark the debut of the new field surface installed last spring.

“We are trying to promote the theme of defending our own turf,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “It is important for us to defend it in a way that it should be. It is our home facility and it is wonderful. We are going to try to do everything to be at our best.”

The REALGRASS™ Matrix system is comprised of a monofilament spinneret yarn in two different sizes and colors. The installation of the turf was one of the priorities in a report released in January by the President's Task Force on Athletics Facilities. It is the first removable REALGRASS™ system to be installed in the United States.

NAU (0-1) opened with a 30-13 loss to 15th-ranked Arizona State last Saturday, while New Mexico Highlands (0-1) lost 45-0 at Fort Hays State. The Lumberjacks own a 68-22-2 record in home openers and have won 15 consecutive home openers dating back a loss to Southern Utah in 1992.

The game will feature two special pregame activities. President Dr. John Haeger will honor the NAU Army ROTC in a special on-field ceremony, while the team will be joined on the field by members of the freshmen class. They will run on the field with the team prior to kickoff in what Souers hopes will become an annual tradition.

“We want to embrace the relationship with the freshmen class and help bridge the gap between the students on campus and the football team,” said Souers. “We need them and it is important for them to be a part of things. I think it will be fun for them and part of their freshman experience to run out on the field with the team.”

NAU students with valid student identification card receive free general admission. Faculty and staff may purchase single-game general admission tickets for $9 via the Central Ticket Office or the CTO box office at the Skydome on game day.