The University of New Hampshire will face Ball State this season in one of three non-conference matchups on UNH's 2009 schedule.

The game, which will be the first between the two programs, will be played Sept. 12 at Ball State.

The Cardinals, an FBS program, completed the 2008 season with a 12-2 record and were ranked as high as No. 12 in the national polls. Ball State was invited to play in the GMAC Bowl where it lost to Tulsa, 45-13. Ball State quarterback Nate Davis surrendered his final year of eligibility and will enter April's NFL Draft.

Ball State defeated Northeastern 48-14 last season. Northeastern, like UNH, competes in the Colonial Athletic Association.

UNH, ranked No. 8 in the final FCS poll, advanced to the NCAA FCS playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and reached the quarterfinal round for the fourth time during that five-year span. UNH finished the 2008 season with a 10-3 overall record and earned the CAA North Division title with a 6-2 record in the conference.

The Wildcats are 4-0 in their last four games against FBS opponents. UNH defeated Army in 2008 (28-10), Marshall in 2007 (48-35), Northwestern in 2006 (34-17) and Rutgers in 2004 (35-24).