IU drops Oregon from schedule
Rebuilding Hoosiers didn't want to face the Pac-10 team again.
By Terry Hutchens
terry.hutchens@indystar.com
January 25, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University has shed Oregon from its 2005 schedule, and athletic director Rick Greenspan said Monday the school didn't have to forfeit money to do it.
IU and Oregon will not play the second of the two-game series. The Hoosiers beat the Ducks last season in Eugene, Ore.
"We exercised an option in our contract that allowed us to discontinue the series without financial ramification," Greenspan said. "We really appreciate Oregon's and ESPN's cooperation with the schedule change."
IU's football schedule has long been debated. Despite IU's win last fall, the prospect of rebuilding a program under first-year coach Terry Hoeppner appeared more difficult with a Pac-10 team on the schedule.
Hoeppner said IU was talking with Oregon about the change before he was hired.
"To tell you the truth I haven't had any chance to even think about (the schedule)," Hoeppner said. "I've been chasing recruits and doing my thing."
IU will open the 2005 football season Sept. 3 at Central Michigan. Oregon was the Sept. 10 opponent, but IU now has that date to fill. IU will conclude its nonconference schedule Sept. 17 at home against Kentucky.
Greenspan, who was hired in September, brought on Tim Fitzpatrick as an associate athletic director responsible for football and basketball scheduling.
"Schedule philosophy is dictated by several factors," Greenspan said. "Financially to sell tickets, but most important is to have success and grow on that success."
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I hope Central Michigan squeeks out a win, that would make my day. Watching Terry lose to a MAC west bottom feeder.