RICHMOND, Ky. – For the second time in the last three years, the Eastern Kentucky University football team opens its schedule at Big East opponent Cincinnati. The Colonels begin the 2008 campaign as one of the favorites in the Ohio Valley Conference and in search of their 31st consecutive winning season. Game time Thursday night is set for 7:30 p.m.

The season opener will be coach Dean Hood’s first game as a collegiate head coach. Hood served as the defensive coordinator at Wake Forest for the previous seven years. Hood spent five years as an EKU assistant from 1994-98, helping the Colonels win two OVC crowns and advance to three NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.

EKU lost 20 seniors to graduation last year, including 13 starters, but do return five preseason all-conference picks including senior quarterback Allan Holland. Holland needs 196 yards to move into Eastern’s career top-10 passing list. Joey Crenshaw (1989-92) currently sits in 10th spot with 2,770 yards while Holland has 2,574.

This is the third straight year Cincinnati has faced an OVC opponent. In the 2007 season opener, the Bearcats defeated Southeast Missouri, 59-3. Cincinnati went on to finish 10-3 overall last year, win the Papa John’s.com Bowl and land inside the AP top-20 poll.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Game Notes
--Click here for game notes!

Television
--None.
***Note: Gillum's Sports Lounge in the Richmond Mall will have the game on its TVs if you can't make the game.

Video Streaming
--Thursday’s game can be seen on the web as part of part of CATSVISION All-Access at GoBEARCATS.com. The cost is $9.95. Click here for live video stream!

Live Audio
--Thursday’s game will ONLY be available on WCYO 100.7 FM. Click here for live radio broadcast!

Live Stats
--Click here for live stats!

Tickets
--Tickets are available by calling the Cincinnati box office at 1-877-CATS-TIX.

Weather
--The forecast for Thursday is partly cloudy with a high of 86 degrees and a low of 64 degrees. Sunset is slated for 8:14 p.m.

Storylines
--This is the sixth straight year that Eastern Kentucky has squared off against an NCAA FBS program. The Colonels have faced Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Vanderbilt, N.C. State, Cincinnati and Kentucky in that span.

--Eastern Kentucky is 4-12 against NCAA FBS programs since 1978 when the Colonels joined the ranks of NCAA FCS. EKU’s last win against an FBS school happened in 1985 thanks to a 45-21 victory at Louisville.