Ohio State announces game themes for 2024 season
COLUMBUS — A year removed from playing only six games at Ohio Stadium, Ohio State is gearing up for eight home games in 2024. The athletic department has set the themes, in addition to announcing the sponsors, for those upcoming outings.
Lettermen Row has the rundown:
Aug. 31 vs. Akron
GAME SPONSOR: Encova
GAME THEME: Archie Griffin 50th Anniversary Heisman Celebration and Faculty & Staff Appreciation.
- The 2024 season marks the 50th anniversary of the first of two Heisman Trophy campaigns piloted by former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin, who remains the only player in college football history to win the Heisman twice.
Sept. 7 vs. Western Michigan
GAME SPONSOR: Buckeyes Care
GAME THEME: Alumni Band Day
- “The Best Damn Band in the Land” is welcoming back alumni for a night game in the Horseshoe against the Buckeyes’ second straight MAC foe, Western Michigan.
Sept. 21 vs. Marshall
GAME SPONSOR: N/A
GAME THEME: Scarlet & Gray Game
Oct. 5 vs. Iowa
GAME SPONSOR: Safelite
GAME THEME: Hall of Fame
- Ohio State will wear its alternate gray uniforms. The Buckeyes wore those last season under the lights against Michigan State in Week 11. Ohio State won that game handily, 38-3. This year, the Buckeyes open Big Ten play at MSU before hosting Iowa for their first conference home game.
Oct. 26 vs. Nebraska
GAME SPONSOR: Coca-Cola
GAME THEME: Homecoming & Scarlet the ‘Shoe
- Last year, Ohio State had its homecoming game against Maryland and its “Scarlet the ‘Shoe” game against Penn State. This time around, the Buckeyes are knocking out both in one fell swoop versus Nebraska. There’s going to be a lot of red hues in Ohio Stadium for that Saturday in October.
Nov. 9 vs. Purdue
GAME SPONSOR: Union Home Mortgage
GAME THEME: Military Appreciation
- This early November showdown with Purdue will also take on the form of a salute to service for the Buckeyes’ “Military Appreciation” theme.
Nov. 23 vs. Indiana
GAME SPONSOR: Huntington
GAME THEME: First Responders Appreciation
- “First Responders Appreciation” is a new Ohio State game theme. But it’s an important one given how much first responders to give to communities, including the Columbus community.
Nov. 30 vs. Michigan
GAME SPONSOR: N/A
GAME THEME: Senior Day
- Ohio State has lost three straight games to Michigan for the first time since 1995-97. The Wolverines have won three Big Ten championships in a row and took home the national title last year. Motivated to finally beat Michigan — and win it all — a collection of starter-level and draft-eligible Ohio State players decided to return for their senior year in 2024. This Senior Day will be massive, both in terms of the number of seniors walking and the gravity of the afternoon.
2024 Buckeyes schedule…
Aug. 31 – Akron (3:30 p.m., CBS)
Sept. 7 – Western Michigan (7:30 p.m., BTN)
Sept. 21 – *Marshall
Sept. 28 – at *Michigan State
Oct. 5 – *Iowa
Oct. 12 – at *Oregon
Oct. 26 – *Nebraska
Nov. 2 – at *Penn State
Nov. 9 – *Purdue
Nov. 16 – at Northwestern (12 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. at Wrigley Field)
Nov. 23 – *Indiana
Nov. 30 – Michigan (12 p.m., FOX)
*Game times announced during the in-season 12-/6-day selection process
