TicketsFeb. 25, 2011
CINCINNATI - Two home games at Paul Brown Stadium and a pair of games on ESPN/ABC highlight the 2011 football schedule released by the University of Cincinnati today.
The Bearcats will play three of their first four games at home in Nippert Stadium. UC opens against Austin Peay State University on Saturday, Sept. 3, plays host to The University of Akron on Saturday, Sept. 17, and North Carolina State University on Thursday, Sept. 22, which will be aired on ESPN. In between the first two games, the Bearcats will travel to Knoxville, Tenn., to face the University of Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 10.
After the annual Battle for the Victory Bell against Miami University in Oxford on Saturday, Oct. 1, the Bearcats will play the first of their two Paul Brown Stadium games, welcoming the University of Louisville in their BIG EAST Conference opener and Battle for the Keg of Nails on Saturday, Oct. 15.
Two BIG EAST road games will follow - at the University of South Florida on Saturday, Oct. 22, and at the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday, Nov. 5 in the annual River City Rivalry game - before the Bearcats play their second Paul Brown Stadium game, playing host to West Virginia University on Saturday, Nov. 12.
UC will then play at Rutgers University on Saturday, Nov. 19, and at Syracuse University on Saturday, Nov. 26, before closing out its regular-season schedule in Nippert Stadium against the University of Connecticut on Saturday, Dec. 3, a game that will be aired on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.
"We've opted to move contests against a pair of our traditional rivals to allow more of our fans to enjoy the experience of these games," Director of Athletics Mike Thomas said. "We anticipate the demand for these games exceeding the capacity in our on-campus stadium, but we have a great solution not far off our campus that will allow for more fans to attend the game, more parking and tailgating, and NFL-quality stadium amenities."
The two games in Paul Brown Stadium will be the most UC has played in the downtown Cincinnati stadium in one season. UC faced Ohio State University there in 2002 and played host to the University of Oklahoma in 2010.
"We are thrilled to be hosting the Bearcats at Paul Brown Stadium for two games during the 2011 season," said Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn. "Last year's game against Oklahoma was a fun and exciting night for football fans and a wonderful showcase for Greater Cincinnati on national television. We're glad to be working with the University of Cincinnati and Bearcats football program."
"We're very excited about this comprehensive and competitive schedule," head football coach Butch Jones said. "It allows us to compete on a national stage in the non-conference in games at Tennessee and at home in Nippert Stadium against a very strong ACC opponent like NC State, live in front of the entire nation on ESPN. This coupled with playing in one of the most competitive football conferences in America is reason for excitement while also allowing continued development and growth in our program.
"The month of November will be a critical stage for us to reach our goals as we have five consecutive BIG EAST games with three being on the road. We look forward to spring practice beginning on March 29, our Bearcat Bowl V on April 16, and the conclusion of drills on April 23."
Game times and additional television opportunities will be released at a later date.
2011 University of Cincinnati Football ScheduleSaturday, Sept. 3 Austin Peay State University Nippert StadiumSaturday, Sept. 10 University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn.Saturday, Sept. 17 University of Akron Nippert StadiumThursday, Sept. 22 North Carolina State University Nippert StadiumSaturday, Oct. 1 Miami University Oxford, OhioSaturday, Oct. 8 OPENSaturday, Oct. 15 University of Louisville Paul Brown StadiumSaturday, Oct. 22 University of South Florida Tampa, Fla.Saturday, Oct. 29 OPENSaturday, Nov. 5 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pa.Saturday, Nov. 12 West Virginia University Paul Brown StadiumSaturday, Nov. 19 Rutgers University Piscataway, N.J.Saturday, Nov. 26 Syracuse University Syracuse, N.Y.Saturday, Dec. 3 University of Connecticut Nippert Stadium