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Illini Football Opener Against Nebraska Moved from Ireland to Champaign

Following extensive consultation with the Irish government, medical authorities and the administrative staffs at Illinois and Nebraska, the 2021 season opening football game scheduled for August 28 between the Fighting Illini and Cornhuskers will not be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two teams still plan to open the 2021 season on Aug. 28, but now the game will be played at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. 

 

In a statement Wednesday, Athletic Director Josh Whitman called the decision very disappointing. 

Illinois, led by first-year head coach Bret Bielema, opens the 2021 season with five of their first seven games at Memorial Stadium. 

 

After the opener with Nebraska, the Illini will host Texas-San Antonio on Sept. 4 followed by a road game at Virginia on Sept. 11. 

 

The Illini alternate home and away with Maryland in town on Sept. 18 followed by hitting the road to Purdue on Sept. 25. 

 

The Illini will host Charlotte on Oct. 2 and go into a bye week on Oct. 16 after a home game with Wisconsin on Oct. 9. 

 

After the Illini's first bye, they finish the season with just two of their final five games at Memorial Stadium.

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