Huskers Set Fan Day, Kickoff Times
A Nebraska football schedule already stuffed with nighttime kickoffs received some daylight Wednesday.
The school announced the Huskers would open their 125th season Aug. 30 against Florida Atlantic with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at Memorial Stadium. The Big Ten Network will televise the game. One week later, NU’s Sept. 6 kickoff with McNeese State — which could be the last FCS team Nebraska ever plays in the regular season — is scheduled for 11 a.m. ESPNU will televise the game.
The start times will afford Nebraska fans an opportunity to watch some of the top Big Ten nonconference games in the first two weeks. Wisconsin plays LSU Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. On Sept. 6, a trio of Big Ten tilts take place in primetime — Michigan State at Oregon (5:30 p.m.), Michigan at Notre Dame (6:30 p.m.) and Virginia Tech at Ohio State (7 p.m.).
Starting Sept. 13, Nebraska will play five straight night games — three of them on the road. The Huskers head to Fresno State for a 9:30 p.m. Central Time kickoff Sept. 13, host Miami at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 and host Illinois for homecoming at 8 p.m. Sept. 27. Nebraska then goes back on the road Oct. 4 at Michigan State (7 p.m.) and Oct. 18 at Northwestern (6:30 p.m.).
Night games, especially in the first half of a schedule, are seen by coaches as good weekends for prospective recruits, as they afford high school athletes the chance to play their Friday night games, board a plane Saturday morning, and not miss any of the game.
The Huskers played one night regular season game in 2013 — the season opener against Wyoming — with four in 2012, four in 2011 and five in 2010. Before this year, the Big Ten frowned upon night games in November because of weather considerations, but the league has shown flexibility this year. Start times for Nebraska’s final five games — Rutgers, Purdue, at Wisconsin, Minnesota and at Iowa — have yet to be determined, although the Nov. 28 game against the Hawkeyes is expected to be either at 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
Nebraska Football Fan Day will be held Friday, Aug. 1, the university announced Wednesday. The event at Memorial Stadium is the best opportunity for fans to meet Nebraska players and coaching staff before the start of preseason camp.
All Husker players that will be part of preseason camp will be in attendance and available to fans from 2 to 3:30 p.m. inside Memorial Stadium.
Autograph cards and other items will be available for fans at the gates. Fans are reminded to limit their autograph requests to one item per player or coach.
Husker gear, as well as this year’s media guide and schedule posters, will be available for purchase at the Husker Authentic store.
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