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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio Dominican football is set to open a full fall slate of competition this week, with a home date against nationally ranked Shepherd (W. Va.).
OPENING KICKOFF
The Panthers will kick off their 18th season of football at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 2. Ohio Dominican's season-opening opponent for the second time in three years will be Shepherd University, who is ranked No. 15 and 19 in the AFCA and D2football.com national preseason polls, respectively.
The Black & Gold have also received national attention ahead of the 2021 season. ODU is receiving votes in the AFCA poll, while the 2021 College Football Yearbook has the Panthers No. 30 nationally.
Ohio Dominican and Shepherd have met just once in the past, the 2019 season opener. The Panthers found the end zone with just 1:07 remaining to secure a 24-21, come-from-behind win.
ODU is coming off a 4-2 spring campaign, which featured six games against Great Midwest Athletic Conference foes. The Panthers won their first four games of the season before dropping home contests to Tiffin and Hillsdale to close the abbreviated campaign.
After producing its 10th consecutive winning season in the spring, ODU is scheduled to return all 22 starters. As a result, the Panthers have once again been picked as a favorite in the G-MAC, placing third in the preseason coaches poll.
Thursday night's contest will be ODU's first home game under the lights since Sept. 15, 2018. ODU is 10-5 under head coach Kelly Cummings in night games.
With both teams receiving preseason national recognition, and despite it only being Week One, Thursday night's contest could go a long way when determining the postseason playoff picture. Both ODU and Shepherd are members of Super Region One.
UP NEXT: Ohio Dominican will stay on Sunbury Road for a Week Two matchup with Virginia State. The Panthers and Trojans will meet for the first time at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11.
Contact: Tyler Jester
jestert@ohiodominican.edu
