Nebraska will open the 2021 football season much closer to home than originally scheduled.
The Cornhuskers and Illinois will not play in Dublin, Ireland, officials announced Wednesday.
The Aer Lingus Classic had been headed toward a relocation for months due to the coronavirus pandemic’s continuing impact.
The Huskers and Fighting Illini still plan to open the 2021 season on Aug. 28, but now the game will be played in Champaign at Illinois’ Memorial Stadium.
Among the driving reasons: NU athletic director Bill Moos said that ticket sales not surprisingly lagged substantially over the course of the fall, which is when they majority would have been sold under normal circumstances.