Planners of the 1997 Pigskin Classic originally wanted to stage college football’s opening game at Nebraska.
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“They just couldn’t find anybody in the country to go in to play Nebraska, including us,” Northwestern Athletic Director Rick Taylor said.
Northwestern wanted no part of the mighty Cornhuskers, but it made a pitch to host the game. On Tuesday Northwestern confirmed that it will meet Oklahoma at 11 a.m. Aug. 23 in Soldier Field. The game will provide national television exposure, extra gate receipts and probably an easy victory over an Oklahoma team that went 3-8 last year.
“The advantage is that if you’ve got a young team, you get game experience,” NU coach Gary Barnett said. “It gives you two weeks of extra practice.”
Tickets for the game are $30. The game isn’t part of NU season ticket packages, but season ticket holders will have first shot at seats, NU spokesman Brad Hurlbut said. Tickets go on sale to the public May 12.