The Purdue Boilermakers at Northwestern Wildcats football game in 2021 has been moved to Wrigley Field, it was announced on Tuesday.
Northwestern will host Purdue in a Big Ten matchup at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill., on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. The matchup will be the first for Northwestern at Wrigley Field since falling to Illinois, 48-27, on Nov. 20, 2010.
“Our program is thrilled to bring Big Ten football back to one of the most iconic venues in sports,” said Northwestern’s Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald. “This will be an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes and staff, and an unforgettable day for our University community. This would not be possible without the hard work of so many, and we sincerely appreciate the partnership of the entire Cubs organization to make it a reality.”
Northwestern was scheduled to host the Wisconsin Badgers at Wrigley Field last season, but the contest was moved to Ryan Field due to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Wildcats are scheduled to open the 2021 season on Saturday, Sept. 4 at home against the Michigan State Spartans. Purdue is slated to open their season on the same date at home at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind., against the Oregon State Beavers.
Football Schedules
Football games should not be played at Wrigley Field. When Northwestern played Illinois there a few years ago, every offensive play (by both teams) was run from the same end of the field (to prevent players from running into the wall). There are other places where football can be played.
The renovation of Wrigley solved this problem. The stands can be retracted to give enough space for a full football field.