HAMMOND – The defending Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana football team released its 2014 football schedule on Thursday. The 12-game slate is highlighted by six home games and a trip to in-state Football Bowl Subdivision member Tulane.
 
The Lions, coming off an 11-3 campaign, the program's first conference title since 1961 and the first-ever NCAA Division I playoff appearance, will open the 2014 season with a pair of home games. On Aug. 30, Jacksonville will visit Strawberry Stadium. The Lions welcome Southern Utah, one of four Big Sky Conference teams to make the 2013 FCS playoffs, on Sept. 6.
 
On Sept. 13, the Lions open their road schedule, traveling to Tulane. Southeastern completes a home-and-home with Southeast Missouri on Sept. 20 with a trip to Cape Girardeau, Mo.
 
The Lions begin defense of the Southland Conference title on Sept. 27 with a road game at Incarnate Word. Visiting Strawberry Stadium during the Southland Conference season will be league foes Northwestern State (Oct. 4), Central Arkansas (Oct. 18), Houston Baptist (Nov. 8) and McNeese State (Nov. 15). In addition to UIW, the Lions will travel to  league foes Lamar (Oct. 11), Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 25) and Nicholls State (Nov. 20). All times will be announced at a later date.
 
"We're excited to have the opportunity to have six home games in front of our fans," Southeastern head coach Ron Roberts said. "We'll be facing four very tough non-conference opponents and those games should provide us with very good preparation for what is sure to be a competitive Southland Conference race."
 
Southeastern will open up the year with Jacksonville, a member of the Pioneer Football League coming off a 5-6 season in 2013. The Lions have won the three previous meetings between the two schools, defeating the Dolphins in 2003 (43-23), 2004 (51-3) and 2006 (41-13).
 
Southern Utah visits Hammond in week two for a battle of 2013 FCS Playoff participants. The first-ever meeting between the two teams will be the start of a home-and-home with the Lions returning the trip in 2016.
 
Southeastern will look for its first win over an FBS opponent in week three when it faces the 2013 New Orleans Bowl participant Tulane in the Green Wave's new on-campus stadium. The Lions have faced its in-state foe four times since the Southeastern program returned prior to the 2003 season with Southeastern dropping four close decisions.
 
The Lions will complete a home-and-home with Southeast Missouri in week four. Last season, Southeastern opened its 2013 schedule with a 41-7 win over the Redhawks in Hammond.
 
With the Southland Conference expanding to 11 football playing schools in 2014, the league has expanded the conference schedule to eight games. Southeastern will play all league members with the exception of Sam Houston State and Abilene Christian in the coming year.
 
Southeastern will open spring practice on Tuesday, March 11 with the spring game set for Saturday, April 12 at 12 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium. Season ticket availability will be announced in coming weeks and fans can receive the latest updates regarding tickets at LionSports.net.  
 
2014 Southeastern Louisiana Football Schedule
Aug. 30 – Jacksonville – Strawberry Stadium
Sept. 6 – Southern Utah – Strawberry Stadium
Sept. 13 – at Tulane – New Orleans, La.
Sept. 20 – at Southeast Missouri – Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Sept. 27 – at Incarnate Word – San Antonio, Texas*
Oct. 4 – Northwestern State – Strawberry Stadium*
Oct. 11 – at Lamar – Beaumont, Texas*
Oct. 18 – Central Arkansas – Strawberry Stadium*
Oct. 25 – at Stephen F. Austin – Nacogdoches, Texas*
Nov. 8 – Houston Baptist – Strawberry Stadium*
Nov. 15 – McNeese State – Strawberry Stadium*
Nov. 20 – at Nicholls State – Thibodaux, La.*
 
Southeastern home games in bold
* - Southland Conference contest