March 11, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio-Three MAC games on ESPN's family of networks highlight Ohio's 2008 football schedule that was released by the Mid-American Conference office Tuesday afternoon.

Three of the Bobcats' final four games will be played at home for the first time since 1977.

"We look forward to the challenges that next season brings," said Ohio head coach Frank Solich. "However, we embrace the opportunity to showcase our program on a national scale for three important conference games."

The Bobcats will head to Temple to Tuesday, October 21 at 8 p.m. for a game on ESPN2, and will be featured on ESPNU the following Tuesday (Oct. 28) at home against Buffalo on ESPNU at 7 p.m. Ohio's regular season finale against Miami will also be seen on ESPNU or ESPN Classic on Friday, November 28.

Central Michigan, the two-time defending MAC Champions, will come to town for the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 13 before Ohio hits the road again for a Saturday, Sept. 20 matchup with Northwestern, its second Big 10 foe of the season.

The Bobcats begin the season with a pair of road games at Wyoming (Saturday, Aug. 30) and at Ohio State (Saturday, Sept. 6). The Ohio State matchup will be the first one for the Bobcats since Sept. 18, 1999 when upstart Ohio headed into the locker room at halftime tied with the 12^th-ranked Buckeyes 10-10 before eventually falling. Ticket information for that game can be found here.

After a home date with VMI (Saturday, Sept. 27), the Bobcats will travel to Western Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Kent State on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Ohio's final two home games will be against Bowling Green (Saturday, Nov. 8) and Akron (Saturday, Nov. 22). The Bobcats' two bye weeks will be Saturday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, November 15.

The MAC Championship will be played Friday, Dec. 5 at Ford Field at 8 p.m. and will be carried on ESPN2.

Kickoff times not listed here will be announced as soon as they become available.

The Bobcats finished the 2007 campaign with a 6-6 overall record, marking the second-straight season they were bowl-eligible. Ohio begins its spring preparations on Monday, March 31 with the annual Green & White Game taking place on Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m.

2008 Football Schedule

Date                              Opponent                                              Time

Saturday, Aug. 30          at Wyoming                                           TBA

Saturday, Sept. 6           at Ohio State                                         TBA

Saturday, Sept. 13         Central Michigan                                     TBA

Saturday, Sept. 20         at Northwestern                                     TBA

Saturday, Sept. 27         VMI                                                       TBA

Saturday, Oct. 4             at Western Michigan                               TBA

Saturday, Oct. 11           at Kent State                                         TBA

Tuesday, Oct. 21            at Temple (ESPN2)                                 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 28            Buffalo (ESPNU)                                     7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8            Bowling Green                                       TBA

Saturday, Nov. 22          Akron                                                    TBA

Friday, Nov. 28              at Miami (ESPNU or ESPN Classic)            TBA