(April 12, 2006) - A schedule that features six home games at newly renovated Jack Coffey Field and a non-conference schedule which features the annual battle for the Liberty Cup at Columbia highlight the 11-game 2006 Fordham University football schedule released today. First-year head coach Tom Masella will open his first season at Rose Hill by hosting Monmouth University on Jack Coffey Field on September 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the first-ever meeting between the Rams and the Hawks of the Northeast Conference. In week two, the Rams make their first road trip of the year, venturing up to the state??s capital, Albany, to face the University at Albany Great Danes on September 9th. This will mark the third straight year in which the Rams have battled the Great Danes and the seventh overall meeting, with the series tied at three games each. Week three has Fordham making its shortest road trip of the year as they trek into upper Manhattan to take on Columbia University in the annual battle for the Liberty Cup on September 16th. The two schools have fought for the cup for the past four years. As the only two NCAA Division I institutions to sponsor football, Fordham and Columbia decided to compete for a special trophy in 2002 with the focus to honor alumni from both schools who were lost in the attacks of September 11, 2001. After an off week on September 23rd, the Rams hit the road again, this time traveling to Worcester, Massachusetts to open their 2006 Patriot League schedule at Holy Cross on September 30th. This game is the annual battle for the Ram-Crusader Trophy, which has been retained at Fordham for the past five years. Fordham returns to Jack Coffey Field in October for three straight home games. The first is a match-up with Duquesne University on October 7th as the Rams take on the defending MAAC champs for the third consecutive year. The Rams then welcome the Marist College Red Foxes on October 14th for Homecoming 2006. It will be the fourth meeting between the two schools, the first since 1995, with Fordham winning the previous three match-ups. This will also mark Fordham??s final non-conference game of the year. Fordham returns to Patriot League play the following week as they greet the defending league co-champions, Colgate University, on October 21st before the Rams take their longest road trip of the year with a trek to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania to face Bucknell University on October 28th. The Rams finish up the schedule with two of their final three games at home, starting with defending Patriot League co-champions, Lafayette College, on November 4th, followed by a trip to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on November 11th to face Lehigh University. Fordham then returns to Jack Coffey Field to close out the season with Georgetown University on November 18th, as the Rams and the Hoyas battle for the 48th time. Ticket information for the 2006 season is available through the Fordham Athletic Ticket Office by calling 718-817-4300. For a printable schedule, please click on ??2006 Football Schedule?? on the ??Files Available for Download?? section of the football home page.