Bearcats announce 2012 football schedule

Published Mar. 27, 2012 1:54 p.m. ET

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CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati released its 2012 football schedule today in conjunction with the release of the conference-wide schedule from the BIG EAST.
 
The 2012 slate will feature seven games played at home in UC’s on-campus venue, Nippert Stadium. Four games have already been chosen to be televised nationally by ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC.
 
The Bearcats will open their season with a BIG EAST contest on ESPN at home against the University of Pittsburgh on Thursday, Sept. 6. UC will then play five consecutive non-conference games – Saturday, Sept. 15 at home against Delaware State University; Saturday, Sept. 29 against Virginia Tech University in a game to be played at FedEx Field, home of the NFL’s Washington Redskins; Saturday, October 6 at home against Miami University (Ohio); Saturday, October 13 at home against Fordham University; and Saturday, October 20, at the University of Toledo.
 
UC will play six consecutive weeks of BIG EAST games to end its regular season. The Bearcats play at the University of Louisville on Friday, October 26, in a game to be televised by ESPN or ESPN2; return home to face Syracuse University on Saturday, November 3; play at returning  BIG EAST Conference member Temple University on Saturday, November 10; host Rutgers University on Saturday, November 17; face the University of South Florida in an ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 televised game on Friday, November 23; and finish the schedule at the University of Connecticut on Saturday, December 1, in a game televised by ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.
 
“It was our priority to bring seven home games to Nippert Stadium this season,” said UC director of athletics Whit Babcock. “The dynamics of conference realignment made doing that a challenge, but I’m very pleased we were able to achieve this.”
 
The game times for the Pittsburgh and Louisville games have both been set at 8 p.m. Eastern. The remaining game times will be announced at a later date per the conditions of UC’s media rights agreement through the BIG EAST.
 
"In the ever changing landscape of college football, scheduling has become a great challenge in itself," Jones said. "We are very excited about the opportunity of having seven home games in historic Nippert Stadium in front of our tremendous fan base. This schedule provides our program with many great challenges as well as opportunities.
 
“Opening the season against a conference opponent means we will need to be locked in from the start of training camp and having to play 10 consecutive weeks to end the season will challenge our depth as well as our mental conditioning.”
 
With the release of the 2012 schedule, UC also announced non-conference opponents for the following three seasons. In 2013, the Bearcats host Purdue University and Northwestern State University and travel to the University of Illinois and Miami (Ohio). The 2014 schedule will see Stony Brook University, Toledo and Miami (Ohio) come to UC and a road game at Ohio State University. In 2015, the Bearcats have the unique distinction of playing both Miamis – travelling to Miami (Ohio) and the University of Miami (Fla.).
 
Deposits for 2012 season tickets are now being accepted. A deposit guarantees the best available seat inside Nippert Stadium for seven home games. In recognition of UC’s 125th campaign, season tickets start as low as $125 in the Coaches Corner. For current season ticket holders, the renewal deadline in April 20, 2012 with seat improvement and selection taking place immediately after that. Visit CATSTIX.com or call 1-877-CATS TIX for more information.
 
UC football has marked the most successful period in its history as it enters its 125th year. The 2011 Bearcats were 10-3, were nationally ranked in the end-of-season polls and claimed five trophies: BIG EAST Conference champions, Liberty Bowl champions, and rivalry trophies against Miami (Ohio), Louisville and Pittsburgh. The Bearcats also swept the BIG EAST post-season honors with Butch Jones being named Coach of the Year, Isaiah Pead as Offensive Player of the Year, Derek Wolfe as Co-Defensive Player of the Year and J.K. Schaffer as Scholar-Athlete of the Year. No other institution had previously earned all four awards in one year. Further, 23 Bearcats earned Academic All-BIG EAST honors. Following the 2012 signing day, The Sporting News  named UC’s class as the best in the BIG EAST.

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