ASU announces date move of season opener
The Arizona State University football team will open its 2011 season against UC Davis at Sun Devil Stadium on Thursday, September 1. The game was previously slated for Saturday, September 3.
The move was made in order to give Sun Devil fans a better opportunity to enjoy the Labor Day weekend that follows Thursday night’s game. It has also been noted that increased attendance, specifically with students, has occurred when ASU has made similar moves in the past.
When the Sun Devils have hosted season openers on the Thursday prior to the holiday weekend the stadium’s attendance has reached over 50,000 fans (57,528 against UTEP in 2004, 50,049 against Temple in 2005 and 53,540 against NAU in 2006).
The Sun Devils will also benefit from the extra days to prepare for their home game against Missouri that will take place the following week on Saturday, September 10. The Tigers will be returning to the stadium where they lost the 2010 Insight Bowl to Iowa.
