Huskers, Northwestern to open '22 football season in Ireland

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - Northwestern will play Nebraska in Ireland to open the 2022 football season.

The schools said Thursday that the game is set for Aug. 27 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. That's where the Cornhuskers were supposed to open the 2021 season against Illinois, but the game was canceled because of the pandemic.

'œThe young men in our program have been looking forward to this trip and we are happy to provide them this memorable experience,'ť Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos said. "I know our great Husker fan base will be excited as well and the opportunity to travel to Ireland to see their team compete on an international stage will truly be special."

The Wildcats and Huskers originally were scheduled to play Oct. 8, 2022, in Evanston, but will travel to Ireland instead. Northwestern will be the home team.

'œWe are thrilled that our program will get to experience the beautiful Irish culture, while we continue to help grow the game of college football on a global stage,'ť Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "It's an honor to be included in this once-in-a-lifetime event.'ť

It will be Nebraska's first game outside the United States since the Huskers took on Kansas State in the 1992 Coca-Cola Bowl in Tokyo. Coach Scott Frost said the game will provide major exposure for the program.

'œOur primary focus for the trip will be to play a football game against an outstanding opponent in Northwestern," said Frost, whose teams have lost two of three against Northwestern since he became coach. 'œAt the same time, this will be great cultural opportunity for our young men to visit a part of the world that most of them have not seen.'ť

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