The Nebraska Cornhuskers are hitting the road for the first time of the 2016 football season. Heading to Evanston, Illinois, to face the Northwestern Wildcats, the Huskers are hoping for much different results in Big Ten play this year over the last. Being 3-0 after non-conference play definitely boosts confidence but the Huskers aren’t taking any future opponents for granted. There’s plenty of work ahead.
What do you need to know before it all kicks off on Saturday? We’ve got you covered with the Northwestern-Nebraska cheat sheet.
Where: Ryan Field, Evanston, Ill.
When: Saturday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m. CT
Watch: Big Ten Network
Listen: Husker Sports Network or Sirius Channel 135, XM 195
The 3-0 Nebraska Huskers hit the road to take on Northwestern this Saturday. Can the Huskers create big plays in their run game? We have the 3 things to know as Nebraska and Northwestern face off in this week’s episode of Hail Varsity’s No Huddle.
Also, we appreciate our presenting sponsor Kidwell for making this video possible!
Fun Facts
>> It doesn’t take much to decide who wins between Nebraska and Northwestern. In fact, four out of the five meetings between the two since 2011 have been decided by three points or less.
>> Before Nebraska joined the Big Ten, it only faced Northwestern twice. The two met at Memorial Stadium in 1974 and at the Alamo Bowl in 2000.
>> The Huskers are 3-2 in Big Ten openers since joining the conference.
What They’re Saying
Head coach Mike Riley on Northwestern:
“They are a tough, gritty, fight-to-the-end team, play good solid football. Way back when Pat (Fitzgerald) was playing, I coached against Pat in the Rose Bowl. What was that, ’96? He was a linebacker there. That defense back then was very similar to how they play now. I mean, they are sound. Back in that day, I watched all the film and you couldn’t find big plays on them. They just were a really, really sound defensive team. They don’t let the game get away from them. They compete like crazy, and they’re well-coached and they’ve got some good players.”
Wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp on what he remembers about Ryan Field:
“I don’t want to say anything bad about their stadium, I mean I don’t really remember too well. It was two years ago. I have taken a lot of hits, so those little things are hard to remember sometimes. It is grass, so we go from turf to grass. It is different, but we will be able to practice. We have a grass field here, so we will be able to practice and get used to that this week.”
Punter Caleb Lightbourn on his first road game:
“I don’t think it is going to be a big deal. I think it is just going to be another game, just going out and preparing this week as if it was against Oregon again or against Ohio State or something like that. So I just need to go out there and focus just as keenly as I would any other game.”
Safety Kieron Williams on his hair:
“
It’s stained right now. About every two weeks I have to re-dye it. I was thinking about doing it permanent, but my mom was very upset when I told her that. I think I’ll just keep going with re-dying it.”
Random Links
Must Watch: The hype video Nebraska made for Memorial Stadium following the Oregon game.
You play us at home, you play against 90,000.
This is Nebraska.
There is no place like it.
✊ #GBR pic.twitter.com/8FCNUMGvtt
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) September 20, 2016
Must Read: For those heading to Evanston, you need to read the information on Northwestern’s clear bag policy. Be prepared, otherwise it could be a frustrating start to game day.
Must See: The Gigapixel photo from Saturday. The clarity is unreal!
Have you tagged yourself in the Gigapixel picture from Saturday’s game yet?
Follow the link below to see!https://t.co/kssGACoTgt
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) September 20, 2016
Erin is the Deputy Editor and Digital Marketing Strategist for Hail Varsity. She has covered Nebraska athletics since 2012, which has included stops at Bleacher Report, Cox Media Group’s Land of 10, and even Hail Varsity (previously from 2012-2017). She has also been featured on the Big Ten Network, NET’s Big Red Wrap-Up, and a varsity of radio shows nationwide. When not covering the Huskers, Erin is probably at Chipotle.
