Utah State to meet Ohio in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

LOGAN — Utah State has its opponent for December 17th's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Aggies are matched against Ohio University.

The Bobcats finished the season 9-4 and lost in the MAC Championship game to Northern Illinois in heart breaking fashion, giving up a 20-point halftime lead to lose on a field goal as time expired 23-20. Prior to losing the conference championship Ohio had been riding a five-game winning streak.

"I have tremendous respect for coach Frank Solich as a head coach and his program. Ohio is a quality opponent that has been to three-consecutive bowl games. They are very well-coached, and we will be facing a big, fast, physical football team," Utah State head coach Gary Andersen said. "We are excited to prepare to face a very high-caliber team in Ohio in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl."

Senior quarterback Tyler Tettleton is the do-it-all star of the Bobcats.

Tettleton set 12 single-season records for the Bobcats during the regular season, throwing for 3086 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for another 627 yards and 9 touchdowns. As a team the Bobcats rank 38th in the nation in scoring with 31 points a game and 31st in points allowed at 22.1 a contest.

Ohio is coached by former Nebraska headman Frank Solich. In his seventh year with Ohio Solich has a 49-40 overall record and has led the Bobcats to four bowl games. Prior to their appearance in the GMAC Bowl in 2006 in Solich's second season, Ohio had not played in a bowl game since 1968.

"The Ohio University football program is extremely excited for this wonderful opportunity in Boise," said Solich. "For the past two years, this has been one of the premier bowl games for the Mid-American Conference. I couldn't be happier for our team and our 17 seniors, who have given so much to this program."

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be the third straight bowl game for Ohio.

The Bobcats fell to Marshall 21-17 in the Little Caesars Bowl in 2009 and were beaten by Troy 48-21 in last season's R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

Ohio is 0-5 all-time in bowl games. Utah State is 1-5 in their bowl history.

The Aggies last made the postseason in 1997 losing to Cincinnati in the Humanitarian Bowl 35-19.