Another significant milestone in Conference USA history will be achieved this season as the league is set to debut its inaugural football championship game this season. The title game is slated for Saturday, December 3 and will be televised by ESPN. The team with the highest Conference winning percentage will serve as the host site for the title game.

The game will feature champions from the East and West Divisions of C-USA. East Carolina, Marshall, Memphis, Southern Miss, UAB and UCF will compete in the East Division and Houston, Rice, SMU, Tulane, Tulsa, and UTEP will contend in the West.

"We are very excited to provide an additional showcase for some of the top football programs in our Conference," said Richard Giannini, Director of Athletics at Southern Miss and Chair of the C-USA Football Scheduling/Bowl Relations Subcommittee. C-USA Athletic Directors voted unanimously last August to recommend to the C-USA Board of Directors the staging of the league's inaugural Football Championship Game in 2005.

"We also feel there are a number of advantages to the schools and the host community," Giannini added. "This format is not only the best method to determine our champion, but will provide excellent media exposure for the schools and the community, including the economic impact a game like this creates."

C-USA becomes one of only five Division I-A Conferences that host a football championship game. The Big 12, SEC and Mid-American conferences currently host football championships, and the Atlantic Coast Conference will add a Championship Game in 2005 as well.

C-USA FOOTBALLCHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Saturday, December 3
Time: TBA
ESPN

C-USA TIEBREAKER
Home field for the C-USA Championship Game will be awarded to the team that posts the highest regular season winning percentage against conference opposition. The first tiebreaker is the winner of a head-to-head match-up. If the two teams did not play during the regular season, the team with the highest BCS ranking would receive the nod. In the case of a tie still remaining or multiple teams tying, then divisional play would be examined more closely.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS
Members of the media that wish to cover the C-USA Championship Game will be required to request credentials through the league's online credential application system available at conferenceusa.com/Media Center. Details about the C-USA Championship Game will be available throughout the season on conferenceusa.com. For additional information, please contact C-USA Media Relations at 214/774-1300.

C-USA STADIUMS
East Carolina - Dowdy-Ficklen (43,000)
Houston - Robertson (32,000)
Marshall - Joan C. Edwards (38,019)
Memphis - Liberty Bowl Memorial (62,380)
Rice - Rice (70,000)
SMU - Gerald J. Ford (32,000)
Southern Miss - M.M. Roberts (33,000)
Tulane - Louisiana Superdome (64,900)
Tulsa - Skelly (35,542)
UAB - Legion Field (72,000)
UCF - Florida Citrus Bowl (65,438)
UTEP - Sun Bowl (51,500)