BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe announced Monday that BYU filled its season-opening vacancy for 2008 with a game against Northern Iowa on Aug. 30 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

In addition, Holmoe announced BYU has agreed to a four-year series with Boise State beginning in 2012 in Boise, Idaho.

Northern Iowa is a Football Championship Subdivision team (formerly Division I-AA). The Panthers finished 12-1 and ranked No. 4 in the FCS polls last season.

Their only loss came to Delaware in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, and they beat Iowa State of the Big 12 Conference.

BYU was left scrambling to find a season-opening opponent after the University of Nevada backed out of the game in favor of hosting Grambling State.

The Cougars are 3-0 all-time against FCS teams, including a 42-7 victory over Eastern Washington this season.

Their average margin of victory in the three wins is 34.7 points.

BYU's series with Boise State will run through 2015 with two games in Provo and two games in Boise.

The Broncos have a 32-7 record over the last three seasons, including a 13-0 record in 2006-07 capped by a thrilling victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

Along with Northern Iowa, BYU's other 2008 nonconference opponents are Washington, UCLA and Utah State.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall believes the formula is just right for his team's "quest for perfection."

"Our fans deserve a BCS-caliber football program," Mendenhall said. "Under the current format for inclusion into a BCS game, this schedule gives us that opportunity."

rpotkey@sltrib.com

2008 nonconference schedule for BYU

Date Opponent

Aug. 30 vs. Northern Iowa

Sept. 6 at Washington

Sept. 13 vs. UCLA

Oct. 3 at Utah State

BYU vs. Football Championship Subdivision teams

BYU vs. Football Championship

Subdivision teams

2007 - W, 42-7 Eastern Washington

2005 - W, 45-10 Eastern Illinois

1998 - W, 43-9 Murray State