Western Kentucky University’s 2009 season opening game at Tennessee on September 5 will kick off at 11:21 central time and marks the debut of the SEC Network on ESPN Regional Television. The regionally syndicated game will air in more than 73 television markets, and WBKO-TV will televise the game for the Bowling Green area.

“This is a special year for us, and it is great that our season opener will be able to be seen by almost half of the country,” Head Coach David Elson said. “It will be a tremendous challenge in a hostile environment, but our guys are excited about it. This is why you play the game. We have played at Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Virginia Tech in recent years, so we will be ready.”

Longtime SEC announcer Dave Neal will call the game, along with analyst Andre Ware and reporter Cara Capuano. The SEC Studio show will begin coverage at 11:00 a.m. with host Rob Stone and analyst Matt Stinchcomb in the studio.

The markets that will air the package represent more than 54 million television households, or 47 percent of the U.S.

WKU, the newest of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision Members, is eligible for a post-season bowl berth and the Sun Belt Conference championship in 2009. WKU’s 511-337-30 all-time record in 90 seasons of football equates to a .600 winning percentage, ranking 26th among all 120 Division I Football Bowl Subdivision schools and tops in the Sun Belt Conference. WKU’s 948 APR in football is also higher than all other Sun Belt Conference programs.