UC Davis Athletics is describing the Aggies’ 2009 football schedule as “the most ambitious” in school history, with an early-season home game against Montana, along with the previously announced road games against Fresno State and Boise State.

Big Sky Conference champion Montana was the runner-up in the Football Championship Subdivision last season, falling to Richmond in the title game. UC Davis also competes in the Football Championship Subdivision, as opposed to the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Fresno State (7-6 last season) and Boise State (12-1) compete in the Western Athletic Conference. Fresno State competed in the New Mexico Bowl last season, while Boise State went to the Poinsettia Bowl.

“To say the least it’s a challenging schedule,” head coach Bob Biggs said. “But I feel with 19 returning seniors next year that we have the kind of leadership and the kind of experience that will be up to challenges.”

The Aggies (5-7 last season) compete in the Great West Conference along with Cal Poly, North Dakota, South Dakota and Southern Utah.

The full schedule, announced last week, runs 11 games — five at home (in boldface, all capital letters):

Sept. 5 — At Fresno State, time to be announced

SEPT. 12 — MONTANA, 6 P.M.

SEPT. 26 — WESTERN OREGON, 6 P.M.

Oct. 3 — At Boise State, time to be announced

Oct. 10 — At South Dakota, 4:05 p.m. PST

OCT. 17 — WINSTON-SALEM (N.C.) STATE, HOME-COMING, 6 P.M.

Oct. 24 — At Portland State, 1:05 p.m. PST

Oct. 31 — At Southern Utah, noon PST

NOV. 7 — CAL POLY, BATTLE FOR THE GOLDEN HORSEHOE, 1 P.M.

NOV. 14 — NORTH DAKOTA, 1 P.M.

Nov. 21 — At Sacramento State (56th annual Causeway Classic), 2:05 p.m.

Season tickets are available from the Freeborn Hall ticket office, (530) 752-1915, and online: www.ucdavisaggies.com.

More on Aggie football: www.ucdavisaggies.com. Under the “teams” link, click on “football.”