Nebraska and Northwestern open their seasons on Saturday, August 21 in Dublin, Ireland. The games will be streamed live on DirecTV Stream (free trial) and fuboTV (livestream).
The Nebraska defense knows Ryan Hilinski from last season, but is also gearing up for a surprise or two at quarterback against Northwestern in the Irish capital on Saturday.
Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald hasn’t named a starter for the season opener and this week declined to talk about quarterbacks: “I’m not going to tell you anything.”
The Huskers say they’ll be ready.
The Big Ten matchup is the first international college regular-season football game in five years.
Both teams were 3-9 last year. Nebraska hasn’t won since his 56-7 rout from Northwestern in Lincoln last October. Six consecutive losses. The Wildcats have also dropped six straight games, but Fitzgerald has a long-term deal and full support from his alma mater.
When is Nebraska Northwest?
Nebraska plays Northwestern on Saturday, August 27 at 11:30 a.m. (12:30 p.m.).
Will the LLWS be streamed live?
Direct TV Stream
DirecTV Stream offers a free trial.
There are four options for DirecTV Stream:
The entertainment package, which consists of 65+ channels, costs $54.99 until the promotion ends on April 30. It’s the basic package for unmissable entertainment – including ESPN, TNT, Nickelodeon and HGTV.
The Choice Package has over 90 channels and costs $74.99 during the promotion. The channels in ENTERTAINMENT, plus MLB Network, NBA TV, college sports networks and more. Enjoy regional sports networks at no extra cost.
The ultimate package has over 130 channels and costs $89.99 during the promotion. Everything in CHOICE, plus Oxygen, Golf Channel, NHL Network, Universal Kids and more.
The Premier package has over 140 channels and costs $134.99 during the promotion. Everything in ULTIMATE, plus HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax and more.
DirecTV Stream offers a free trial that doesn’t require much effort.
To sign up, enter a phone number, email, and credit card, and you’ll receive five days of free service.
In addition, enhance your experience with the DirecTV Stream device. While it doesn’t include a free trial, it gives you access to thousands of apps like Netflix and more on Google Play. You can search using the voice remote control with Google Assistant and you can enjoy a traditional live TV channel guide. It is sold separately.
FuboTV
The game will be streamed live on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. The most basic plan is the “fubo standard” package, which includes over 121 channels for $69.99 per month. Like all cord cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports. It comes with over 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR and up to 10 screens simultaneously.
Will the game be televised?
Nebraska-Northwestern airs on FOX.
Example
PLAY SAFE? Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson, a transfer from Texas, was Frost’s choice to take the first snap in Dublin because of his experience and ability to protect the ball. Thompson threw for 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season, completing 63.2% of his passes for 2,113 yards.
Frost said he wants to “let it rip” and he repeated that point at Aviva Stadium on Thursday, saying his message is to “go out and attack”.
“I really want to see that mentality (of) not playing tight, not worrying about anything, just going out and going after it,” he said.
Now in his fifth year as a Huskers coach, Frost is not calling for the first time. New Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple will do that on the sidelines.
“It will be a different experience for me,” Frost said.
Efficiency and speed were the buzzwords for Nebraska’s offense, which also added wide receivers Trey Palmer (LSU) and Marcus Washington (Texas) from the transfer portal.
“They have playmakers all over the field,” said northwest linebacker Bryce Gallagher.
FAR FROM HOME: The Huskers have already played abroad once. They defeated Kansas State 38-24 in the 1992 Coca-Cola Classic in Tokyo. Husker’s athletic director Trev Alberts was on the ’92 team. Called the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, it is much closer than Tokyo at 4,000 miles away. It is Northwestern’s first international competition.
200 GAMES: Saturday’s game will be Fitzgerald’s 200th as Northwestern coach. His record is 109-90 but if he comes out of a 3-9 season he would be happy to take some luck from the Irish. The former Wildcat linebacker estimated that 40 relatives from the Chicago area made the trip and he plans to meet some relatives who live in Ireland.
DOWNHELL WALK: Evan Hull rushed for 1,009 yards at 5.1 yards per carry last season, so keeping him engaged for Northwestern’s odds is vital. He boasted about the whole running backs room.
“We all have our different strengths, sure, and I think that’s what makes our group so dangerous,” Hull said. Andrew Clair “walks up to him with attitude. He can also bring the boom.”
The Northwestern defense couldn’t stop anyone on the ground last season. The Wildcats allowed a Big Ten-worst 213 rushing yards per game, including 427 to Nebraska.
Gabe Ervin Jr. said the Huskers running backs are eager to go: “We’re here to run the ball down, down their throats, every time we get the ball.”
IRISH CULTURE: The teams are immersed in Irish culture. For most players it is their first time abroad.
Wildcats Defending Defenseman AJ Hampton Jr. tried some step dance at a dinner and show. The Huskers visited the Kilmainham Gaol Museum to learn about the former prison’s place in Irish history and especially in the Easter Rising of 1916. Hospitality was on display outside Aviva on Thursday when an Irishman gave a ride to a Huskers fan who couldn’t find a taxi.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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