BYU and LSU to open 2017 season in Houston

BYU will face LSU in the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff on Sept. 2, 2017 at NRG Stadium (formerly Reliant Stadium), it was announced on Thursday.

"We are thrilled to announce that LSU and BYU will be competing in the 2017 AdvoCare Texas Kickoff game at NRG Stadium to open the college football season," said Jamey Rootes, President of the Houston Texans and Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. "We look forward to hosting these two great football programs and their passionate fan bases for what has become a Labor Day weekend tradition in Houston. This game reinforces the reputation that Houston and NRG Stadium have earned as a premier destination for college football."

"We continue to be pleased with the growth of the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff," said Pete Derzis, Sr. Vice President, ESPN Events. "Both teams have a great fan following and rich history, which will continue to bring a high level of interest to our game."

NRG Stadium, with a seating capacity of 71,054, opened in August 2002 and was the first facility in the NFL to have a retractable roof. BYU played a regular season game at the stadium in 2013, defeating the University of Houston 47-46.

"Any football team or fan who loves the game would be thrilled to have the chance to play a traditional powerhouse like LSU of the SEC in an awesome venue like NRG Stadium," said BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe. "We are excited and grateful for the invitation to play in such a great game."

"We are excited about the opportunity to return to Houston for the 2017 season opener against BYU," said Joe Alleva, LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. "We opened the 2014 season against Wisconsin in NRG Stadium and the turnout and response from our fans far exceeded our expectations. Houston is a great city with a huge LSU alumni base and NRG Stadium continues to be one of the great venues for football. We look forward to opening the 2017 season against BYU in Houston in what should be another great start to the football season."

"As a program we want to play the biggest names on the biggest stages and facing LSU at NRG Stadium certainly achieves both of those objectives," said BYU Head Football Coach Bronco Mendenhall. "We look forward to this challenge and opportunity to play an outstanding SEC team. It's another unique marque matchup for our football program and our fans."

LSU is the third SEC team to be on BYU's schedule since going independent in 2011. The Cougars defeated Ole Miss 14-13 in 2011 and will face Missouri on November 15, 2015, at historic Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. BYU has an overall record of 5-4 versus current SEC programs.

With the announcement today, BYU now has 35 future games scheduled against "Power 5" conference members and Notre Dame, as listed below:

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