Peden Stadium's host of its first nationally televised game since 1968 highlights the 2005 Ohio Football schedule. ESPN2 will broadcast the Toledo game from Athens on Friday, November 4th at 8 PM.

The Bobcats will open with a challenging non-conference schedule. Coach Frank Solich will make his Ohio debut at the Big Ten’s Northwestern on September 3rd then is scheduled to lead his team in the home opener against last season’s co-Big East Conference champion Pittsburgh September 10th. However, negotiations are underway to adjust the contest date for another national television opportunity. The following Saturday, September 17th, Ohio travels to defending ACC champion Virginia Tech.

Mid-American Conference play starts on September 24th when Kent State visits Peden. After a week off, the Bobcats play back-to-back road games, first at defending GMAC Bowl champion Bowling Green on October 8th then at Central Michigan on October 15th.

Ohio faces Ball State for the first time in six years when the Cardinals travel to Athens on October 22nd. The Homecoming contest marks their first visit to Peden Stadium since 1995. The Bobcats travel to Buffalo on October 29th before the showdown with defending MAC champion Toledo.

The season concludes with a trip to Akron on Tuesday, November 15th and a Monday night, November 21st showdown against Miami at Peden. Both of those contests could air nationally on one of the ESPN-branded networks.