TV plays big part in UT, BG schedules

3/19/2004

Football Saturday? Not at the University of Toledo during November.

The Rockets released their 2004 schedule yesterday, and that schedule includes games on three November weekdays, according to information released by the MAC yesterday.

Toledo will be on national TV four times while Bowling Green will make a pair of national TV appearances next season. One of those televised games will be the match-up between the two schools at the Glass Bowl on Tuesday, Nov. 23.

The Rockets' other two November games also will be on weekdays because of television; UT will play on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at Miami and Wednesday, Nov. 10 at Northern Illinois. All three games will be on ESPN or ESPN2.

UT will open the season at Minnesota on Sunday, Sept. 5, in a game that was moved back one day for television. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and almost certainly will be a night game, because the Minnesota Twins have an afternoon game scheduled for the Metrodome.

“I'm very excited that we will be on national TV at least four times next season,” said UT coach Tom Amstutz. “The exposure will be very good for our program and our university.”

Meanwhile Bowling Green also will play twice on national television; besides the game against Toledo, the Falcons' MAC opener at Northern Illinois on Friday, Sept. 24 will be on ESPN or ESPN2.

“I think it is fantastic to get a chance to play two conference games on national television,” said BG coach Gregg Brandon. “I think people recognize the MAC produces quality football teams year-in and year-out, and next year should be no different.”

Bowling Green will have only one home game among its first five contests next season. The Falcons will open at BCS Championship Game participant Oklahoma on Sept. 4.

BG did not announce starting times for its games.

Meanwhile the Rockets will open the season with three straight road games before hosting Temple in the Glass Bowl on Sept 25 in their home opener.

The Rockets also will play host for MAC games against Ball State on Oct. 2, Ohio on Oct. 16 and Central Michigan on Oct. 23 as well as Bowling Green on Nov. 23. All of those home games except the match-up with the Falcons will kick off at 7 p.m. from the Glass Bowl; no starting time was announced for the BG game.

Both teams will compete for a chance to play in the MAC Championship, which will be held Thursday, Dec. 2 at the stadium of the East Division winner and will be televised on ESPN or ESPN2.