Ohio State 2015 football schedule: Western Michigan, Hawaii added

Ohio State finalized their 2015 football schedule Thursday afternoon in the heart of their first bye week by announcing the confirmation of two dates changes as well as the addition of two new non-conference opponents.

As first reported by 10TV's Dom Tiberi yesterday, Ohio State added Hawaii to the slate. Former Ohio State associate AD Ben Jay is the currently athletic director for the Rainbow Warriors. The Buckeyes will play host to the University of Hawaii September 12th in Ohio Stadium.

The other addition is former Ohio State offensive graduate assistant P.J. Fleck and Western Michigan. Hailing from the MAC, the Broncos will visit Ohio State September 26th, 2015. Fleck was at one time favored to join the Ohio State coaching staff as their wide receivers coach but instead elected to take the offensive coordinator position with his alma matter, Northern Illinois. One day later, he resigned to take the wide receivers coaching job with his mentor at Rutgers, Greg Schiano, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fleck and WMU have struggled in his first year with the program.

As previously reported but never officially confirmed, Ohio State is moving their season opener to Labor Day, 2015, to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. In primetime that Monday night, the Buckeyes will clash with VT at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Finally, the Buckeyes moved their September 26th scheduled game against Northern Illinois one week earlier to September 19th. NIU's athletic director had previous taken exception to our discussion of a Cleveland Plain Dealer report that NIU and the Buckeyes may be canceling that 2015 contest in Ohio Stadium. Our apologies, Mr. Frazier.

Here is Ohio State's 2015 football schedule in its entirety:

2015 Ohio State Football Schedule

Sept. 7 - at Virginia Tech

Sept. 12 - Hawaii

Sept. 19 - Northern Illinois

Sept. 26 - Western Michigan

Oct. 3 - at Indiana

Oct. 10 - Maryland

Oct. 17 - Penn State

Oct. 24 - at Rutgers

Oct. 31 - Bye

Nov. 7 - Minnesota

Nov. 14 - at Illinois

Nov. 21 - Michigan State

Nov. 28 - at Michigan

Dec. 5 - Big Ten Championship Game