PARKER GABRIEL
Lincoln Journal Star
Steven M. Sipple, Parker Gabriel and Chris Basnett talk through the latest updates in Nebraska football, including a Thursday news conference with Scott Frost, his confidence in the Husker offense going forward, an interesting quarterback situation and a revamped 2021 conference schedule. That, plus Nebraska men's basketball is back to work after a long layoff due to a COVID-19 outbreak.Â
Nebraska and Iowa's streak of playing on Black Friday will live on after all.Â
The Big Ten announced a revamped 2021 conference schedule Friday, and among a significantly shuffled league slate for the Huskers is a home game against Iowa on Nov. 26 rather than a road trip to Minnesota.
NU also now hosts Purdue and travels to Wisconsin, rather than the other way around.Â
There has been no official change to NU's Aug. 28 game (Week 0) against Illinois in Dublin, though athletic director Bill Moos told the Journal Star on Friday morning that a final decision as to whether the teams will actually travel trans-Atlantic could be made "within a couple of weeks."Â
In all, six of Nebraska's nine conference games changed date or location in the newest edition of the schedule.Â
Here's NU's full schedule:Â
Aug. 28: vs. Illinois (currently scheduled for Dublin).
Sept. 25: at Michigan State.
Oct. 2: vs. Northwestern.
Nov. 13: vs. Southeastern Louisiana.
If NU and Illinois do not play in Ireland, the game will likely be in Champaign, Illinois, because the Illini gave up the home game to make the overseas game work. It could be played on either Aug. 28 (Week 0) or the week of Sept. 4 (Week 1).Â
Some of the changes stem from the Big Ten's schedule shuffling for the 2020 season. In the 10-game iteration the league came up with to maximize flexibility — and then subsequently scrapped six days after announcing it — the conference flipped the location of Nebraska's games against Wisconsin (to Lincoln) and Purdue (to West Lafayette, Indiana).Â
Given that divisional games alternate locations each year, the flips meant that NU would be scheduled to host the Badgers and visit the Boilermakers three straight years (2019-21).Â
Moos has made no secret about wanting to reverse the Big Ten's 2017 decision to end the streak of the Huskers and Iowa playing on Black Friday, which normally comes at the last week of the regular season.Â
The pandemic-shortened schedule in 2020 allowed NU and the Hawkeyes to still play on Black Friday, but the Huskers were originally slated to close the 2021 season against Minnesota before returning to the Iowa series on that weekend in 2022.Â
Instead, NU and Iowa will play on Black Friday for an 11th straight season and on into the future.Â
Nebraska's three nonconference dates remain in the same places on the schedule. Notably, the Huskers were originally set to play Oklahoma on Sept. 18 and then Ohio State two weeks later, placing two College Football Playoff contenders on the schedule in the first month. Now, the Buckeyes come to Lincoln in November.Â
NU hosts nonconference opponent Southeastern Louisiana between a home game against OSU and a trip to Wisconsin.Â
Photos: Our favorite staff images from the 2020 Nebraska football season
Illinois' Alec McEachern (46) and Nebraska's Niko Cooper (32) reach for a fumble on a kickoff return in the second quarter Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws an interception under pressure from Illinois' Khalan Tolson (45) in the first quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and Cam Taylor-Britt (5) walk off the field after the Huskers' 41-23 loss to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey gets his helmet twisted around by Illinois' Roderick Perry (96) in the second half Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is lifted up by teammate Bryce Benhart after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers onto the field to take on Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (7) celebrates his second-quarter interception with teammate Cam Taylor-Britt against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Iowa's Terry Roberts (22) dives on a fumbled punt return by Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) in the fourth quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras gets off a third-quarter pass as Nebraska's Garrett Nelson (44) and Luke Reimer (28) pressure him Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Wan’Dale Robinson rushes against Iowa's Jack Campbell (31) in the second half Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez reaches for the high snap in the first quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out to the field against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws under pressure from Iowa's Joe Evans (13) in the second quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and the Husker offensive line push toward the goal line on Martinez's 1-yard touchdown run against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with his players during a first-half timeout against Iowa last November at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) gets pressured by Nebraska's Ben Stille on a fourth-down play, throwing an incomplete pass to turn it over to the Huskers in the final moments of the game Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Luke McCaffrey (7) and Wan’Dale Robinson (1) celebrate after the Huskers' win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. McCaffrey and Robinson each entered the transfer portal following the 2020 season.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) punches the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford last season. Williams has incorporated boxing into his preseason workouts to help increase his stamina in 2021.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford before recovering the fumble and returning it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (right) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (left) to give the Huskers the ball on downs in the fourth quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Ben Stille (95) and Ty Robinson walk off the field after the Huskers' 30-23 win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp sends a ball through the uprights for a fourth-quarter field goal against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Will Honas (3) tackles Penn State's Pat Freiermuth (87) in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost instructs the team during a timeout on Nov. 14, 2020, against Penn State at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) gets the snap from center Cameron Jurgens (51) as running back Ronald Thompkins (25) and Ethan Piper look to block against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) runs back a punt as he avoids the tackle of Penn State's Daequan Hardy in the first half Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. Williams recovered the fumble and scored.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Noa Pola-Gates (facing) hugs senior Marquel Dismuke (9) after the Huskers' 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska senior Dicaprio Bootle (7) hugs fellow senior Marquel Dismuke (left) as JoJo Domann looks on after the Huskers' 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
A third-quarter pass from Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is batted by Minnesota's Rashad Cheney on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Protected by the offensive line, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) has the time to throw in the second quarter against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out onto a nearly empty stadium before taking on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (left) defends a pass intended for Penn State's Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (95) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska fan cutouts are a backdrop for the consecutive sellout sign on Saturday at Memorial Stadium during a Nov. 14, 2020, game against Penn State.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Myles Farmer (left) is flagged for a facemask call against Illinois' Donny Navarro (86) in the third quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
A worker waits to release balloons after the first Nebraska touchdown against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with junior quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) on the sideline in the third quarter against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
A security guard watches the field among snow-covered cardboard cutouts before a Nebraska-Minnesota football game on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska family members look for their seats before the Huskers host Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen (second right) celebrates his second-quarter TD with teammates against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Austin Allen celebrates his touchdown catch with Brenden Jaimes and Ethan Piper against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost sends quarterback Adrian Martinez back into the game against Minnesota in the second quarter Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost greets Huskers captain Matt Farniok (71) during Senior Day festivities before the Minnesota game Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
The Nebraska football team is planning to open its April 17 practice to 4,000 fans.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
• Texts from columnists
• The most breaking Husker news
• Cutting-edge commentary
• Husker history photo galleries
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!