Northwestern University Athletics

Wildcats Announce 2021 Football Schedule
2/5/2021 10:11:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern football announced details on its 2021 football schedule on Friday. The defending Big Ten West champions' schedule will consist of 12 games.
In total, the Wildcats will play seven home games and face off against nine Big Ten opponents, along with three non-conference opponents.
The 2021 football season ticket renewal process will begin later this spring. New season ticket holders can secure their seats for the 2021 season by placing a deposit here.
Northwestern kicks off the season on Saturday, September 4 when they welcome Michigan State to Ryan Field. It marks the third time in the last four seasons the Wildcats have opened the season against a conference foe.
The Wildcats will then begin a string of three non-conference matchups to round out the month of September as they host Indiana State (Sept. 11) and Ohio (Sept. 25) at Ryan Field, with a trip to Duke (Sept. 18) in between. The 'Cats close the season with eight Big Ten matchups, beginning on October 2 when they traavel to Lincoln to take on Nebraska. Senior Day will take place on November 20 against Purdue in the Wildcats' home finale.
Northwestern football won the Big Ten West Division title for the second time in three seasons in 2020 and capped off the campaign by beating Auburn in the 2021 VRBO Citrus Bowl. It was the Wildcats fourth-consecutive bowl win and propelled the program to a No. 10 ranking in the final Associated Press Top-25 Poll, the program's highest ranking in the final poll since the 1995 season.
TV network designations and start times for all games will be announced at a later time.
See the complete schedule below:
Saturday, September 4 – vs. Michigan State
Saturday, September 11 – vs. Indiana State
Saturday, September 18 – at Duke (Durham, NC)
Saturday, September 25 – vs. Ohio (Ryan Field)
Saturday, October 2 – at Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.)
Saturday, October 16 – vs. Rutgers (Ryan Field)
Saturday, October 23 – at Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Saturday, October 30 – vs. Minnesota (Ryan Field)
Saturday, November 6 – vs. Iowa (Ryan Field)
Saturday, November 13 – at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.)
Saturday, November 20 – vs. Purdue
Saturday, November 27 – at Illinois (Champaign, Ill.)
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
In total, the Wildcats will play seven home games and face off against nine Big Ten opponents, along with three non-conference opponents.
The 2021 football season ticket renewal process will begin later this spring. New season ticket holders can secure their seats for the 2021 season by placing a deposit here.
Northwestern kicks off the season on Saturday, September 4 when they welcome Michigan State to Ryan Field. It marks the third time in the last four seasons the Wildcats have opened the season against a conference foe.
The Wildcats will then begin a string of three non-conference matchups to round out the month of September as they host Indiana State (Sept. 11) and Ohio (Sept. 25) at Ryan Field, with a trip to Duke (Sept. 18) in between. The 'Cats close the season with eight Big Ten matchups, beginning on October 2 when they traavel to Lincoln to take on Nebraska. Senior Day will take place on November 20 against Purdue in the Wildcats' home finale.
Northwestern football won the Big Ten West Division title for the second time in three seasons in 2020 and capped off the campaign by beating Auburn in the 2021 VRBO Citrus Bowl. It was the Wildcats fourth-consecutive bowl win and propelled the program to a No. 10 ranking in the final Associated Press Top-25 Poll, the program's highest ranking in the final poll since the 1995 season.
TV network designations and start times for all games will be announced at a later time.
See the complete schedule below:
Saturday, September 4 – vs. Michigan State
Saturday, September 11 – vs. Indiana State
Saturday, September 18 – at Duke (Durham, NC)
Saturday, September 25 – vs. Ohio (Ryan Field)
Saturday, October 2 – at Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.)
Saturday, October 16 – vs. Rutgers (Ryan Field)
Saturday, October 23 – at Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Saturday, October 30 – vs. Minnesota (Ryan Field)
Saturday, November 6 – vs. Iowa (Ryan Field)
Saturday, November 13 – at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.)
Saturday, November 20 – vs. Purdue
Saturday, November 27 – at Illinois (Champaign, Ill.)
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
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