Appalachian State's football team will appear on ESPN3 at least two times during the 2012 season.

The Mountaineers host Montana on Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN GamePlan and ESPN3. ESPN GamePlan is ESPN's nationwide pay-per-view platform, while ESPN3 is available online to 73 million homes through computers, tablets, smart phones and Xbox gaming consoles.

Appalachian State will also play at Georgia Southern on ESPN3 on Nov. 3.

Appalachian State lost 24-17 to Montana in Mizzoula, Mont., in the 2009 semifinals of the FCS playoffs. Most of the second half was played in a snowstorm. The game, shown on ESPN, was the highest rated FCS game ever shown, according to the Nielsen Company and the NCAA.

Appalachian State's other game against Montana was in 2000 when the Grizzlies took a 19-16 overtime decision in the semifinals of the Division I-AA playoffs. The two teams have combined to win five Division I-AA/FCS national championships sine 1995. They've also combined to participate in 40 playoff appearances and 10 championship game appearances.

Appalachian State beat Georgia Southern 24-17 when the Eagles invaded Kidd Brewer Stadium ranked No. 1 in the FCS. In 2010, Georgia Southern overcame a 14-0 deficit to beat Appalachian State, which was ranked No. 1, 21-14.

The home team has won the last three matchups between the Southern Conference rivals.

Appalachian State's first game of the season, which is at East Carolina, will broadcast on one of the FOX networks.

Other games include Samford at Georgia Southern on Sept. 29, Chattanooga at Furman on Oct. 13, Western Carolina at Elon on Oct. 20, The Citadel at Wofford on Oct. 27, and wildcard weekends on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17.

“The partnership with ESPN3 gives our fans the ability to watch the games across the country on a variety of different platforms,” SoCon Commissioner John Iamarino said. “Starting with a huge intersectional game, we think we've produced a strong schedule.”

Appalachian State's five other 2012 home games will begin at 3:30 p.m. The Mountaineers' home game with Furman on Nov. 10 is a candidate for the wildcard game, but the 3:30 p.m. kickoff time would not be affected.