Illinois Football Announces Change to 2024 Schedule

Illinois Football Announces Change to 2024 Schedule

On Wednesday (5/22), the University of Illinois Athletic Department announced an adjustment to the 2024 Illinois Football schedule. According to a statement released by Illinois Athletics (Illinois Football on X), the Illinois Big Ten opener vs Matt Rhule’s Nebraska Cornhuskers has been moved up from Saturday, September 22nd, to Friday, September 21st. Additionally, the game is now scheduled for a 7 pm kickoff on FOX. The athletic department claims in its statement that the move was made to co-align with FOX’s efforts to provide “elite college football Friday nights on FOX.”

Of course, high school football, post-school activities, and work, among various other factors, lead fans to have discretion with the time change. However, it’s looking like Friday night lights in Lincoln Nebraska. Last year, Nebraska beat Illinois in a very disappointing loss at Memorial Stadium. Though the game this year will be in Lincoln, it does seem that Illini fans have some conflict with the timing of the game.

🟠🔵 Schedule Update 🟠🔵

Our game at Nebraska originally scheduled for Sat., Sept. 21 has been selected by FOX to move to Fri., Sept. 20, as part of FOX College Football Friday. We will kick off at 7 pm CT on FOX.

📝 https://t.co/VhLlcRkfEc#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) May 22, 2024

Official Statement From Illinois Athletics

Per FighingIllini.com– “The Illinois at Nebraska football game originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21, has been selected by FOX to move to Friday, Sept. 20 as part of the FOX College Football Friday package. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. CT on FOX.”

“Announced earlier this year, FOX College Football Friday is a dedicated primetime window showcasing elite college football Friday nights on FOX throughout the fall. FOX will air a Big Ten football game on nine Fridays during a 10-week span, beginning with the Illinois vs. Nebraska game on Sept. 20.”

Certainly, this will be an interesting watch, as Nebraska typically sells out its 85,000+ seats. Will the Friday night switch take effect?

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