Presser: Big Ten Schedule For First Three Weeks

Every conference home contest to be televised for third straight season

Park Ridge, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference office today released the game times and television plans for every home non-conference contest during the first three weeks of the 2009 football season along with some additional games later in the year. The 2009 pre-conference schedule will feature 25 home matchups televised by ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network.

The 2009 Big Ten home football schedule begins with Indiana hosting a Thursday night contest against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 3 on the Big Ten Network. The other 10 conference teams will begin their seasons on Saturday, Sept. 5.

In addition to the television schedule for the first three weeks, the conference also announced that the Miami (Ohio) at Northwestern game Oct. 10 will be played at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN, ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network. In addition, a pair of Illinois games were finalized as the Illini will host Michigan on Oct. 31 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC and conclude the regular season at home against Fresno State with an 11:30 a.m. CT kickoff on the Big Ten Network.

Remaining television selections beginning Sept. 26 and continuing through the end of the season will be made six or 12 days in advance of the game.

The Big Ten will hold the 2009 Football Media Days and 38th annual Kickoff Luncheon on Monday and Tuesday, July 27-28, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, featuring all 11 head coaches and some of the conference’s top returning players. The 114th season of Big Ten football kicks off beginning with every team in action on Sept. 3 or 5.

The complete list of television games already announced appears below.

Thursday, Sept. 3

Eastern Kentucky at Indiana, Big Ten Network, 8:00 p.m. ET

Saturday, Sept. 5

Missouri vs. ILLINOIS, ESPN, 2:40 p.m. CT

Northern Iowa at Iowa, Big Ten Network, 11:00 a.m. CT

Western Michigan at MICHIGAN, ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET

Montana State at MICHIGAN STATE, Big Ten Network, Noon ET

Towson at Northwestern, Big Ten Network, 11:00 a.m. CT

Navy at Ohio State, ESPN, Noon ET

Akron at Penn State, Big Ten Network, Noon ET

Toledo at Purdue, Big Ten Network, Noon ET

Northern Illinois at Wisconsin, Big Ten Network, 6:00 p.m. CT

Saturday, Sept. 12

Illinois State at Illinois, Big Ten Network, 6:00 p.m. CT

Western Michigan at INDIANA, Big Ten Network, Noon ET

Notre Dame at Michigan, ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET

Central Michigan at Michigan State, ESPN/ESPN2, Noon ET

Air Force at MINNESOTA, Big Ten Network, 6:00 p.m. CT

Eastern Michigan at NORTHWESTERN, Big Ten Network, 11:00 a.m. CT

Southern California at Ohio State, ESPN, 8:00 p.m. ET

Syracuse at Penn State, Big Ten Network, Noon ET

Fresno State at Wisconsin, ESPN/ESPN2, 11:00 a.m. CT

Saturday, Sept. 19

Arizona at Iowa, ABC, 2:30 p.m. CDT

Eastern Michigan at MICHIGAN, Big Ten Network, Noon ET

California at Minnesota, ESPN/ESPN2, 11:00 a.m. CT

Temple at PENN STATE, Big Ten Network, Noon ET

Northern Illinois at Purdue, Big Ten Network, Noon ET

Wofford at WISCONSIN, Big Ten Network, 11:00 a.m. CT

Saturday, Oct. 10

Miami (Ohio) at NORTHWESTERN, ESPN/ESPN2/Big Ten Network, 11 a.m. CT

Saturday, Oct. 31

MICHIGAN at ILLINOIS, ABC, 2:30 p.m. CT

Saturday, Dec. 5

Fresno State at ILLINOIS, Big Ten Network, 11:30 a.m. CT