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Buckeye football to kick off 2010 season with Thursday night game

meisel.14@osu.edu

Published: Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Updated: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 20:01

football

The Lantern

Ohio State will open its 2010 regular season against Marshall on Thursday, Sept. 2, the OSU athletic department confirmed shortly after a source reported the story to The Lantern.

"This change to a Thursday night opener offers a number of positives for Ohio State," Ohio State associate vice-president and director of athletics Gene Smith said through a press release. "Summer quarter classes end the week before, so there will be minimal campus impact on students, faculty and staff that day.

The scheduling decision will provide the Buckeyes two extra days to prepare for their most daunting non-conference opponent, Miami (Fla.), who they will play Sept. 11.

"Along with providing maximum national exposure for our Rose Bowl champions, this unique starting date and time allows our team and fans to escape the heat of the day, and breaks up a string of four consecutive Saturday home games to start the season," Smith said. "It will allow fans to enjoy other events throughout the Labor Day weekend. We see it as a treat for Buckeye fans and an exciting way to open the 2010 campaign."

Information regarding parking and transportation for the night game will be determined at a later date, according to the press release.

The Buckeyes haven't played a mid-week game during the regular season since 1997, when they beat Wyoming 24-10 in their season opener.

Coach Jim Tressel expressed his excitement in kicking off the season under the lights.

"The Thursday night before Labor Day is a great night to play," Tressel said. "To be one of the first games that kicks off the 2010 season will be exciting. The Buckeyes and the Thundering Herd will both be veteran teams, and it will be a fun night in the Horseshoe. We cannot wait to tee it up."

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18 comments

Lisa
Sat Jan 16 2010 08:41
Thursday night games are for teams that need exposure. not The Ohio State University. That being said, I'll be using two vacation days and making the trip to the 'Shoe. Go Bucks!
Get a freakin life
Fri Jan 15 2010 23:02
I'll (as I'm sure thousands of other Buckeye FANS) without tickets will gladly take any WHINERS tickets off of their hands.
flexible
Thu Jan 14 2010 12:23
C'mon guys. It's ONE GAME! Ever heard, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."? For every one of your complaints, there's a reason TO play the game on the 2nd. If you "feel" you have to work, then I feel sorry for you.
proud alum
Thu Jan 14 2010 12:16
ugh...i agree with brandon. and don't forget about taking away the gray stripes on our home jerseys (lost both national championships in them). we gotta quit selling out. we've got the most powerful athletic department in the NCAA, why do we do this? i definately don't approve of the helmets we used against michigan. we're the silver bullets...stop messing with tradition. a thursday night opener? ugh. i'll be there, but what a shame.
senor annoymous
Thu Jan 14 2010 10:54
i'm sure the stadium will still have 105K people there. people will find a way. no one complains when the their NFL team plays on monday night, and if the team is still good, people still show up.
Ezell
Thu Jan 14 2010 10:36
Thursday games are for those teams (or conferences) that get poor visibility and their fanbases aren't as established and loyal. Too many fans won't be able to attend this game because of this change.
Buckeye123
Thu Jan 14 2010 10:36
What about the fact that it is a work day for OSU employees and the parking lots will be full? Where will we tailgate??
BucksFan
Thu Jan 14 2010 08:29
Apparently none of you have heard of taking a vacation day...
Michael W
Thu Jan 14 2010 08:09
Everyone hates change - why is that?? Try something a little new and spice up your life instead of re-enacting the movie Groundhog Day every single day ... day after day!
BucksRock
Wed Jan 13 2010 23:11
Whats the big deal......everyone seems to be all about "I". Smith is right, it gives the guys a couple extra days to prep for Miami, which will be a National early season game we need to take. Its not like OSU is springing this on you a week ahead of time. You've got 8 months to figure it out. I'll be there, enjoying every minute of it.
GO BUCKS !!!!
JB
Wed Jan 13 2010 22:26
This is one game I'll not be at. I work on Thursday and Friday. The kids are in school. Dumb idea.
senor annoymous
Wed Jan 13 2010 21:39
what's the big problem? it's cool to play a game on a thursday...

tailgate all day

national TV all by ourselves

kicking off the college football season

NHBUCKEYE
Wed Jan 13 2010 21:37
HOW ABOUT THOSE OF US THAT TRAVEL FROM OUT OF STATE? I THINK THAT THIS AD THINKS THAT HE IS MANAGING A PRO TEAM. THIS REALLY IS A POOR IDEA.
Brandon
Wed Jan 13 2010 20:53
This is absolute garbage. Come on AD. First the sellout "throwbacks" from nike for the game, now this? Really? Really? We're not Cincinnati. We get Saturday coverage.
Fan of Tradition
Wed Jan 13 2010 20:20
First the MI game is moved to Thanksgiving weekend and now this? Come on OSU...
Saturday Fan
Wed Jan 13 2010 18:31
Ridiculous. I've always been proud that our team never had to resort to playing on a weekday. So much for that. Now we're just like all the MAC, WAC, Big East, etc, etc teams. My tickets will be on ebay.
Rocky
Wed Jan 13 2010 18:19
This will truly stink for all my friends who faithfully drive in for every home game from Cincinnati and Cleveland, for me because I have to go to work the next day and for my friends who try to throw a great tailgate party each home game for their clients. I may stay home - and I haven't missed a home game in over a decade.
Your name
Wed Jan 13 2010 17:18
Its all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$






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