Former Kentucky assistant coach Aaron Rodgers will make his first return to Lexington with the Bobcats.
As much as this weekend is about Ohio rebounding from its winless opening weekend, it’s also about Aaron Rodger’s return to Kentucky.
The Bobcats’ second-year coach will play Kentucky on Sunday for the first time since he walked away from the program in 2012 as an assistant coach, with back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and the school’s first tournament win. In total, Rodgers spent four seasons with the Wildcats before coming to Athens.
“I feel a lot of satisfaction in being a part of that rebuilding program,” Rodgers told Ohio Athletics. “They’ve done a great job turning it around from being one of the bottom teams in the [Southeastern Conference] to being one of the top.”
The SEC Network, ESPN’s new television channel exclusively devoted to the conference, will televise the match.
While Kentucky plays their first fixture on the field Friday, the official dedication ceremony is just prior to Ohio’s 2 p.m. kickoff Sunday.
“For them allowing and wanting us to be there for the dedication game of their new stadium, it means a lot to me and our friendship,” Rodgers said. “Hopefully we’ll put in a lot of effort and make it a really good game.”
Rodgers also added that Ohio needs to keep a poised mindset, potentially capitalizing on Kentucky’s overexcitement or an unforced error.
Despite all the hoopla surrounding matchup in Lexington, first the Bobcats will travel to Dayton to play Wright State on Friday.
“They’re 0-2 and they’ve played two really good opponents just like we have,” Rodgers said. “They’re going to come out ready to play and we’ll need to match that intensity.”
The Raiders present a tough challenge for the Bobcats, after narrowly losing 2-1 at home to Louisville and 1-0 to No. 21 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, NC. Ohio played Wright State last year and tied 1-1 in double-overtime.
Rodgers said he would like to see his team come out with a more attacking style-tactically, while solidifying the defense and limiting the amount of goals conceded.
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gh181212@ohio.edu
