STEPHENVILLE - The Tarleton Texans are set to open the 2010 football season on Thursday, Sept. 2 at home against Northeastern State at 7 p.m.

					Game Information - Sept. 2, 2010
A NEW ERA BEGINS The Tarleton Texans begin a new era in Tarleton football Thursday, Sept. 2 when they host Northeastern State at 7 p.m. in Memorial Stadium. The Texans will open the 2010 season with a new head coach, Cary Fowler. Fowler is the 25th head coach for Tarleton football history. PREVIOUS MEETINGS These two teams have met on seven occasions, and the Texans have won the last five meetings, including a 6-0 struggle last year in Tahlequah, Okla. New head coach Cary Fowler is 6-0 against the RiverHawks as a defensive coordinator in the LSC since 2001. The last NSU win over Tarleton was on Oct. 26, 2002 in Tahlequah, Okla., 29-28, in overtime. The only other NSU victory was also in Tahlequah as the RiverHawks are 0-3 in Stephenville. A LOOK AT THE RANKINGS Tarleton is ranked not ranked in both the American Football Coaches Association poll and No. 16 the D2Football.com poll. Tarleton was picked No. 18 in the D2Football.com preseason poll, No. 15 in the Sporting News Division II preseason poll and No. 8 in the Lindy's Division II Preseason Poll. NSU is not ranked in either poll.   OPENING THE SEASON AT HOME Tarleton is 23-12 overall in home openers, including an 8-2 mark from 2000-09. The Texans won last year's home opener, 45-16 over Arkansas-Monticello. MILITARY APPRECIATION Tarleton is hosting Military Appreciation Night Thursday as the purple and white honor those who have fought for the Red, White and Blue. All military personnel both past and present, and their immediate families, will get in free to Thursday's game with a valid I.D. Special tributes are also scheduled throughout the evening. GAMENOTES Find the rest of the gamenotes and all the links to social media at Game Week.