Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel's football team faces a difficult first month, including a trip to North Carolina State, in a 2012 schedule announced recently.

The Bulldogs, coming off a 4-7 season under head coach Kevin Higgins, will open the campaign by hosting Charleston Southern of the Big South Conference on Sept. 1.

But the rest of the month is particularly daunting. Georgia Southern, the 2011 Southern Conference champion, will pay a visit on Sept. 8 and then The Citadel will travel to another conference power, Appalachian State, on Sept. 15.

The Bulldogs will go to Raleigh, N.C., on Sept. 22 to take on North Carolina State of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

They wrap up September with a SoCon game on Sept. 29 against visiting Chattanooga.

Four of The Citadel's final six games will be on the road: Samford (Oct. 6), Wofford (Oct. 27) and Furman (Nov. 17) within SoCon action and a non- conference game at VMI (Nov. 10) of the Big South.

The Bulldogs also will host SoCon opponents Western Carolina (Oct. 13) and Elon (Nov. 3).

2012 The Citadel Football Schedule

All Times ET

Sept. 1, Charleston Southern, 6 p.m.

Sept. 8, Georgia Southern*, 6 p.m.

Sept. 15, at Appalachian State*, TBA

Sept. 22, at North Carolina State, TBA

Sept. 29, Chattanooga*, 6 p.m.

Oct. 6, at Samford*, TBA

Oct. 13, Western Carolina*, 2 p.m.

Oct. 27, at Wofford*, TBA

Nov. 3, Elon*, 2 p.m.

Nov. 10, at VMI, TBA

Nov. 17, at Furman*, TBA

* - Southern Conference game

02/04 05:35:54 ET