ERIE, Pa. - Gannon has announced its 2010 football schedule which features six homes games for the second consecutive season, including a season-opening Thursday night contest against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe Lake Erie. In addition, kickoffs for home games have been pushed up one hour to 12 p.m. with the exception of the October 30 affair against Clarion.

The October 2 Gannon-Mercyhurst football game at Gannon University Field is tentatively scheduled to be seen live on WSEE TV-35, allowing fans throughout Western Pennsylvania and the surrounding regions to view the rivalry contest. Other games could possibly be added to the WSEE TV-35 broadcasting schedule in upcoming months.

Gannon kicks off the season on a Thursday night in downtown Erie for the second straight year. One year after a thrilling come-from-behind 35-34 victory against Lake Erie, the Storm will once again be the season-opening opponent at Gannon University Field on September 2. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. It represents the Golden Knights' only home appearance in the month of September.

Head coach Jim Kiernan's squad follows the home opener with a three-game road swing that begins with crossover games at Shippensburg (September 11) and Millersville (September 18). Both contests mark the first-ever meetings between the two schools on the football field.

Shippensburg was ranked 15th in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II national rankings after falling to California (Pa.) in the NCAA Division II second round. The road trip concludes Saturday, September 25 with the first rivalry game of the season at Edinboro.

Gannon finally returns home Saturday, October 2 against crosstown rival Mercyhurst. The contest kicks off a stretch that includes four home games in the month of October. The Golden Knights host California (Pa.) October 9, before traveling to Lock Haven October 16. California (Pa.) advanced to the NCAA Division II national semifinals last season and was ranked seventh in the final AFCA national rankings.

The month concludes with home affairs against Indiana (Pa.) (October 23) and Clarion (October 30). The Crimson Hawks arrive in Erie for Homecoming Weekend. The game against Clarion is scheduled for 1 p.m. and is the only afternoon home game not slated for 12 p.m.

Gannon concludes Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division play Saturday, November 6 with its final road game of the regular season at Slippery Rock. The regular season draws to a close Saturday, November 13. The Golden Knights are tentatively scheduled to host Kutztown at Gannon University Field, but could play in the PSAC Championship Game that weekend with a first-place finish in the Western Division.

Gannon finished the 2009 season with four consecutive victories, recording its first winning season since 2003 by knocking off 19th-ranked Bloomsburg in the season finale. The Golden Knights concluded the campaign with a 6-5 record.

For the complete 2010 Gannon football schedule, please click here.