JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State has signed a contract to play the University of Kentucky in football for the 2011 season, JSU Athletics Director Oval Jaynes announced on Wednesday.

“We're pleased to announce that we have signed a contract to play the University of Kentucky in 2011,” Jaynes said. “They play in one of the toughest conferences in the country and have appeared in four consecutive bowls games for the first time in Kentucky football history.

“It will be a challenge for our team, but I know our coaches, players and fans will be excited about the opportunity to play at Commonwealth Stadium against the Wildcats,” Jaynes added.

The two teams will play on Saturday, October 22, 2011, and the financial terms of the contract were not announced.

Jacksonville State has faced just one other Southeastern Conference opponent, playing at Mississippi State in 2002 and again in 2006, but will open the 2010 season at Ole Miss and will also face Florida in 2012.