North Dakota, Sam Houston set future games

(STATS) - North Dakota and Sam Houston State announced a home-and-home series for the 2018 and 2019 seasons on Friday.

The first-ever meeting between the schools will be played Sept. 15, 2018, at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. The return game is set for Sept. 14, 2019, at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

"Sam Houston State is traditionally one of the top FCS programs in the country and we feel like this home-and-home series gives each school's fan base a chance to see a highly competitive FCS matchup before conference play ensues for both teams," UND athletic director Brian Faison said. "This should be one of the best non-conference games at our level in both 2018 and 2019."

"Our games with Big Sky opponents during the last several years have been thrilling, down-to-the-wire battles with plenty of offensive fireworks," Sam Houston athletic director Bobby Williams said. "The two contests will be great for fans in both venues."

UND is 4-1 against Southland Conference opponents since moving to Division I in 2018. Sam Houston, the Southland power that has reached at least the FCS semifinals in four of the past five seasons, is 14-9 against current Big Sky teams.