On Monday, a contract was announced between Mississippi State University and Troy that will bring the Bulldogs to Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium in 2012.

Troy University Director of Athletics Steve Dennis made the announcement via press release and head coach Larry Blakeney discussed the news at the team’s weekly press conference at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.

“The future is bright [for Troy football],” Blakeney said.

“Hopefully, this is something that will get our people excited – hopefully it will turn out to a great day for Troy.”

The contract will have MSU come to Troy on Sept. 8, 2012 and then send the Trojans to Starkville to face the Bulldogs on Sept. 21, 2013 and Sept. 26, 2015.

“We are very excited to have Mississippi State coming to Troy, Dennis said in the press release.

“This will be the first time a member of the Southern Conference will play in Movie Gallery Stadium, and we hope this opens doors for more SEC teams to play in Troy in the future.”

The game in Troy will secure six home games for the Trojans in Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium.

Besides MSU and Sun Belt opponents, Troy will also play host to Navy in 2012, playing on November 10.

Troy’s other two non-conference games that season are University of Alabama-Birmingham and Tennessee, both of which are on the road.

This will be the first time the Bulldogs and the Trojans have met since 2003.

The two teams first met in 2001 in Starkville, and that 21-9 victory for the Trojans was the team’s first win over a Bowl Championship Series Conference team.

Two years later, the Bulldogs were able to get some revenge thanks to an 11-8 victory over Troy.