West Virginia University Director of Athletics Ed Pastilong has announced the 2008 football schedule, highlighted by seven home games and an attractive nonconference slate.

I am excited about this years schedule,Pastilong said.We have seven home games, which always is good for our fan base. It is a very challenging nonconference schedule but unique in that we have games against various conferences: Auburn from the SEC , Colorado from the Big 12 and East Carolina from Conference USA .

The Mountaineers open the 2008 schedule on Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against Villanova. Other home games are against Marshall, Rutgers, Syracuse, Auburn, Cincinnati and USF . The Syracuse home game will be Homecoming on the WVU campus, while the Cincinnati game will include Mountaineer Week festivities.

Four games are already slated for national television. WVU ’s road games at Colorado and Pitt, along with homes games against Auburn and USF , are slated to be televised on the ESPN family of networks.

“Our schedule, once again, is not only attractive but tough, featuring conference rivals and outstanding nonconference opponents,” WVU football coach Bill Stewart said.”The overall schedule will provide many challenges, and I think our fans and supporters will enjoy it.”

* SCHEDULE

• *Saturday, Aug. 30, Villanova

• Saturday, Sept. 6, at East Carolina

• Thursday, Sept. 18, at Colorado (ESPN)

• Saturday, Sept. 27, Marshall

• Saturday, Oct. 4, Rutgers

• Saturday, Oct. 11, Syracuse (Homecoming)

• Thursday, Oct. 23, Auburn (ESPN)

• Saturday, Nov. 1, at Connecticut

• Saturday, Nov. 8, Cincinnati (Mountaineer Week)

• Saturday, Nov. 22, at Louisville

• Friday, Nov. 28, at Pitt (ABC)

• Saturday, Dec. 6, USF (ESPN or ESPN2 )

WVU begins spring practice Friday, March 14. The annual Gold-Blue Spring Game is set for Saturday, April 19, at Milan Puskar Stadium.