Covers and screenshots shown for PS2 and PSP versions of NCAA Football 09

Well, the long saga of NCAA Football 09 box art has finally come to a close. EA has dragged out this dog and pony show for far too long, if you ask me; the Xbox 360 cover was first unveiled exactly two months ago. Since then, we’ve seen a mascot become the ‘coverboy’ for the Wii version, and the current-gen trifecta completed with the PS3 version’s cover.

But EA has thrown us a curveball at the end here: all along, they’ve been saying that the PS2 and PSP versions will share the same artwork. But now, they’re showing off two different covers. Former Cal Bears wide receiver DeSean Jackson is the PS2’s coverboy, while the PSP version will feature former West Virginia Mountaineer fullback Owen Schmitt.

Both the PS2 and PSP versions, along with the Wii version, will offer EA’s “Family Play” control scheme. According to EA, it’s a simplified layout that’s much more user-friendly, and it’s obviously geared toward the more casual crowd (i.e., football fans who aren’t necessarily gamers). In addition to gigantic shots of the respective covers, you can also see two PS2 screenshots and three PSP screenshots in the gallery below.

NCAA Football 09 will hit store shelves on July 15th for the PS3, 360, Wii, PS2, PSP, and mobile devices. For more information, hit up the press release after the jump.

EA ANNOUNCES DESEAN JACKSON AND OWEN SCHMITT AS COVER ATHLETES FOR NCAA FOOTBALL 09

Jackson Featured on PlayStation 2 Cover and Schmitt Graces PlayStation Portable Pack Front

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., – May 6, 2008 – EA has announced the final two cover athletes for NCAA Football 09, scheduled to hit stores across North America on July 15 from EA SPORTS. Former Cal wide receiver, DeSean Jackson, will be the cover athlete on PlayStation 2 while former West Virginia Mountaineer Owen Schmitt can be found on the cover of the PlayStation Portable version of the game.

In three seasons at Cal, Jackson ranks third all time in receiving yards (2,423) and third in receiving touchdowns (22). He was rated as the #1 receiver in the nation by The Sporting News and Rivals.com going into his junior campaign. Jackson was a first team All-Pac-10 selection and led the nation in average punt return yards (18.2) in his sophomore season. In the recently held NFL Draft, Jackson was selected in the second round (49^th overall pick) by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Schmitt, a tough-minded fullback, finished his West Virginia Mountaineer career as one of the greatest players in school lore. In his career, Schmitt earned 21 career starts and carried the ball for 1,003 yards, a 6.3-yard average, during his Mountaineer career.

NCAA Football 09 on PlayStation 2 will feature authentic collegiate animations, an all-new Mascot Challenge and bring to life the atmosphere, pageantry and tradition of college football. The PlayStation Portable version will include arcade-influenced gameplay that throws you into the action faster than ever and brings out the fun and excitement of Big Play Saturdays. Both the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable versions of NCAA Football 09 will feature EA SPORTS Family Play, a fun and accessible game mode that has simplified game controls, playcalling system and playbooks.

Former Arkansas All-American Darren McFadden is the cover athlete for NCAA Football 09 on the Xbox 360 while Matt Ryan from Boston College is featured on the PLAYSTATION®3 pack front. Also, Sparty the Spartan from Michigan State University will grace the cover on the Nintendo Wii. For each of the platforms, NCAA Football 09 brings to life the fun and excitement of gameday Saturdays and captures the true emotion of the college football experience.

For more information about NCAA Football 09 please visit www.ncaafootball09.com.

EA SPORTS™ is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL®, NBA LIVE, NCAA® football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® and NASCAR® racing.