CINCINNATI, Ohio — Home games against new BIG EAST Conference foes West Virginia and Connecticut, along with traditional rival Louisville highlight the University of Cincinnati's 2005 football schedule.

UC will open the season at home hosting Eastern Michigan on Sept. 3. The Bearcats also have a non-league home contest with Western Carolina on Sept. 17.

The Bearcats' first-ever BIG EAST football game will be Oct. 8 at Heinz Field against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Cincinnati will have back-to-back BIG EAST home games vs. Connecticut on Oct. 15 and Louisville on Oct. 22. The West Virginia contest is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 9 and will be televised nationally by ESPN2.

The Bearcats' road schedule includes non-conference visits to Penn State on Sept. 10, and the annual battle vs. Miami (Ohio), the "oldest rivalry west of the Alleghenies," which will be played on Sept. 24.

The BIG EAST road games are at Pittsburgh on Oct. 8, Syracuse on Oct. 29, USF on Nov. 19 and Rutgers on Nov. 26.

"We are extremely excited about our initial season in the BIG EAST Conference," stated UC head coach Mark Dantonio. "The possibilities within the BCS will allow the University of Cincinnati and its football program to turn our visions into reality.

"This year's schedule, with home games versus UConn, Louisville and West Virginia, will create a dynamic environment at Nippert Stadium in 2005. We look forward to our challenges, both home and away, throughout the 2005 season," Dantonio added.

Six of the Bearcats' opponents appeared in bowl games in 2004: Pittsburgh (Tostitos Fiesta), West Virginia (Toyota Gator), Louisville (AutoZone Liberty), Connecticut (Motor City), Syracuse (Champs Sports) and Miami (Independence).

Six of the 11 opponents had winning records as UC's 2005 foes compiled a 69-57 ledger in 2004.

Cincinnati, which will make its debut in the BIG EAST Conference this season, posted a 7-5 mark in 2004, finishing in a tie for second place in its final season in Conference USA, and defeating Marshall in the PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl.



2005 UC Football Schedule
Sept. 3 Eastern Michigan
Sept. 10 at Penn State
Sept. 17 Western Carolina
Sept. 24 at Miami (Ohio)
Oct. 8 at Pittsburgh*
Oct. 15 Connecticut*
Oct. 22 Louisville*
Oct. 29 at Syracuse*
Nov. 9 West Virginia*
Nov. 19 at USF*
Nov. 26 at Rutgers*
*BIG EAST Conference Game

I don't like the WVU game on a weeknight. That game should be 7:00pm on Saturday night in Nippert....That would be a great event...

I think a road trip to Pittsburgh for our first league game is in order. It's close and UC fans need to make a good showing there.

Western Carolina? Isn't that a Woodchuck troop or a Campfire Girl troop? Tough competition

TU72N76 Wrote:Western Carolina? Isn't that a Woodchuck troop or a Campfire Girl troop? Tough competition

Considering there was no one else out there to schedule UC was lucky to get Western Carolina. Maybe people should think about that before criticizing a schedule.