The final piece of Iowa State’s 2005 football schedule came together Tuesday, with a season-opening contest against Illinois State announced by the ISU athletic department.

The game is scheduled on Sept. 3 in Ames, ISU athletic director Bruce Van De Velde said.

“It was important to us to get another home game for our fans and our community,” Van De Velde said in a press release. “We looked at a lot of scheduling options to get a Division I-A opponent, including playing a road game.

“Ultimately, it came down to making sure we had another home game. A Cyclone home game brings people into Ames from all over the state and beyond.”

Illinois State recorded a 4-7 record in the 2004 season, in which it lost its final four games. Last year, the Redbirds lost to Minnesota, their only I-A opponent, and Northern Iowa, a team Iowa State beat 23-0.

The Cyclones ended the 2004 season with a 7-5 mark, capping the season off with a victory over Miami of Ohio in the Independence Bowl. Should the Cyclones beat Illinois State, the win would not count toward bowl eligibility.

NCAA rules state that a win over a Division I-AA opponent can be used once every three years to make a team bowl eligible. Six victories make a team available for postseason play, and Iowa State used its win over Northern Iowa last year to reach that number.

Under those rules, Iowa State would have to win six additional games to return to the postseason.

The NCAA is discussing changing that rule, said Tom Kroeschell, associate athletic director for media relations. Under the proposed legislation, team’s schedules would increase from 11 to 12 games, allowing all teams to play a Division I-AA opponent.

Iowa State will have six home games next season, opening with back-to-back games in Ames against Illinois State and Iowa. In Big 12 play, the Cyclones will welcome Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Colorado.

A trip to Army is the lone Cyclone non-conference road game, and they will play Nebraska, Missouri, Texas A&M and Kansas for their Big 12 road slate.