RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky head football coach Danny Hope has announced that the Colonels have inked a deal to play the University of Cincinnati in 2006 and 2008. Exact game dates and times will be announced later.

“This is the perfect game for us. It's an opportunity to compete against a I-A opponent and create some revenue. At the same time, its proximity to Richmond makes it a game all of our fans can go to,” said Hope. “This game is very attractive on our schedule and we hope to have the largest traveling party of fans in our history head up to Cincinnati and watch us get it on.”

Hope and the Colonels have a history of playing I-A opponents. Under his watch, the Colonels have played Bowling Green, Central Michigan and Vanderbilt and are scheduled to take on North Carolina State this season.

In fact, the Colonels nearly pulled off a I-A upset in 2003, dropping a heartbreaker to Central Michigan 42-41.

The 2005 schedule is set to begin at home on Sept. 3 against Appalachian State. The contest is slated to kickoff at 6:30 PM.