East Central University will play 11 games, but only four at home, as the 2008 football schedule was released Thursday.

ECU, 2-9 a year ago, launches the season on Thursday, Aug. 28, at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas. The Bearkats are an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) team and their quarterback is former Oklahoma signal-caller Rhett Bomar.

The Tigers’ four home games, include back-to-back affairs during the second and third weeks of the season with Lone Star Conference South foes Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. at Norris Field and on Sept. 13 against Tarleton State in Ada at 6 o’clock.

ECU’s other two home contests are against Northeastern State to open LSC North play on Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. and on Oct. 25 against Southwestern Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. during homecoming festivities.

The Tigers visit another LSC South school Angelo State on Sept. 20 at 6 p.m., before entertaining NSU on Sept. 27.

ECU is then on the road for three straight games at LSC South rival Abilene Christian (which reached the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs last year) on Oct. 4 at 6 p.m., at NAIA Southern Nazarene in Bethany on Oct. 11, and at the LSC North’s Texas A&M-Commerce on Oct. 18 at 2 p.m.

Abilene Christian returns Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Bernard Scott, who ran for 2,165 yards and scored 35 touchdowns a year ago. Scott was second in Division II in rushing.

ECU’s final home game of the year on Oct. 25 against SWOSU will kick off at 6 p.m.

The Tigers then round out the regular season with consecutive contests at Central Oklahoma in Edmond on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. and at Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.

Oddly, this year’s Tiger opponents were an evenly combined 59-59 last season.

Tarleton State and Abilene Christian appeared in NCAA Division II Top 25 polls last year.