CINCINNATI – On the heels of naming veteran head coach Tommy Tuberville to lead the University of Cincinnati football program, the Bearcats announced a strong 2013 home schedule Tuesday that brings Purdue, Boise State and Louisville to Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats 2013 league opponents were released by the BIG EAST Conference with actual game dates to be announced when they become available. UC has won four of the past five BIG EAST Conference titles and will take on two Big Ten teams to open the season, face a pair of first-time opponents and square off with six teams playing in 2012 postseason bowls. Overall, UC will play Boise State, Connecticut, Louisville, Purdue, Northwestern State and UCF at home while facing Illinois, Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Rutgers, San Diego State and USF on the road. The Bearcats have never faced Boise State or UCF and the Broncos, Cardinals, Boilermakers, Knights, Scarlet Knights and Aztecs will all play in bowl games to close out the 2012 season. The BIG EAST Conference splits into an east-west divisional alignment in 2013. UC will be in the East along with Connecticut, Louisville, Rutgers, UCF and USF. Boise State, Houston, Memphis, San Diego State, SMU and Temple make up the West Division. A conference championship game will be played the last week of the regular season between the division winners on the campus of the squad with the better overall record. UC also released its non-conference game dates for 2013. The Bearcats open up the campaign with Purdue on Aug. 31, 2012 in Nippert. The following week, the Bearcats play their second-straight Big Ten Conference opponent, traveling to Champaign to meet Illinois. UC returns home on Sept. 14 to take on Northwestern State before closing out non-conference play on Sept. 21 against Miami (Ohio) in the 118th Battle for the Victory Bell in Oxford. Fans interested in purchasing 2013 football season tickets can visit CATSTIX.com or call 1-877-CATS-TIX to make deposits. Please note this is for new season ticket accounts only. Existing season ticket renewals for 2012 customers will go out in February. Cincinnati (9-3, 5-2 BIG EAST) will close out the 2012 season against Duke in the Belk Bowl on Dec. 27 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET, be televised by ESPN and broadcast on radio by 700 WLW AM. Tickets are on sale now at CATSTIX.com and by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX. Tickets are available at four pricing levels and are priced at $50 for upper level seats, $75 for lower endzone, $85 for lower sideline and $100 for club seats. Tickets are available for purchase by all fans, including UCATS members, students and the general public. Seating assignments will be determined by UCATS tier level and then priority points within the tier level. Fans are strongly encouraged to order tickets online to avoid long wait times on the phone or in person at the Athletics Ticket Office. All individuals who buy or donate tickets through UC will receive: two (2) tickets to a future BIG EAST Conference men's basketball game and a 20% off merchandise credit for the GoBEARCATS.com online store.
