May 17, 2007

WACO, Texas - The American Football Coaches Association has announced that the Ohio football team has received 2007 Academic Achievement Award honorable mention recognition. The award recognizes NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision programs that graduate at least 70 percent of its players.

It marks the the third time in the last four years, and fourth time overall that the Bobcats have earned honorable mention accolades. Ohio was also on the honored in 1999, 2004 and 2005.

The award comes on the heels of the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate report released on May 2. The Bobcat football team scored above the NCAA-mandated cut line of 925 and ranked above the national averages for FBS programs and public institutions.

Northwestern and Notre Dame received the 2007 AFCA Academic Achievement Award with a 95-percent graduation rate. The Bobcats were one of 32 teams, including four other from the Mid-American Conference, to receive honorable mention. The MAC's five selections tied with the ACC and Big 10 for the most schools represented on the list.

The study involved the freshman class from the academic year 2001-02, including those who entered at that time but who did not receive aid until after their initial year, or who transferred from another institution and subsequently received a grant-in-aid.

Ohio begins its 2007 season Sept. 1 versus Gardner-Webb. For ticket information, call the Ohio Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-575-CATS or click here.

2007 AFCA Academic Achievement Award
Northwestern, Notre Dame

Honorable Mention: Alabama, Arkansas State, Ball State, Baylor, Boston College, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Duke, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana Tech, Miami (Ohio), Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Penn State, Rice, Rutgers, Syracuse, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington State, Wisconsin.