The 2019 season is only one week away for the WKU football team, but the Hilltoppers have added a marquee non-conference matchup to one of their future schedules.

The Hilltoppers announced on Thursday afternoon they will travel to Columbus, Ohio, for a matchup with the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sept. 16, 2023. The game will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

“We continually strive to play a compelling and challenging non-conference schedule, and Ohio State is certainly one of the most accomplished programs in the history of college football,” athletic director Todd Stewart said in a press release. “Facing a program that has had elite success on a national level like Ohio State is an outstanding opportunity and will likely bring national television exposure. 

“Columbus, Ohio, is also less than 350 miles from Bowling Green, enabling our fans to make the trip and support us in an exciting matchup in a historic collegiate football venue.”

WKU will meet numerous Big Ten schools during the next several seasons. The Hilltoppers will play a home-and-home series with Indiana in 2020 and 2021 and will also pay a visit to Michigan State in 2021. WKU will play at IU in 2022 before the Ohio State trip in 2023.

Two game times for two previously announced future contests have been changed as well, the program announced. WKU will now travel to Alabama on Aug. 31, 2024 and to South Florida on Sep. 21, 2024.

WKU has recently added several tentative dates to its future non-conference slate, including the addition of future games against Georgia and Eastern Kentucky on Aug. 12.

The Hilltoppers will kickoff the 2019 season on Aug. 29 against Central Arkansas at Houchens-Smith Stadium.

Reporter Alec Jessie can be reached at 270-745-6291 and [email protected]. Follow Alec on Twitter at @Alec_Jessie.