Herbie Husker and cheerleaders pump up the crowd before the Unity Walk at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018.
Nebraska fans have an extra home game to look forward to in September.
The Huskers finalized a schedule shift that’s been in the works for several weeks, replacing a Nov. 13 home game against FCS Southeastern Louisiana with a Sept. 4 home game against a different FCS foe, Fordham.
The school announced the move on Monday afternoon. Nebraska is paying Fordham a $500,000 guarantee, according to a copy of the game contract obtained by the Journal Star.
The wheels for the plan churned into motion when Nebraska’s “Week Zero” opener against Illinois on Aug. 28 was moved from Dublin, Ireland, to Champaign, Illinois, due to continued uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic and the ability to take a large group on a trans-Atlantic trip this summer.
NU’s previous schedule included just one home game — Sept. 11 against Buffalo — in the first four weeks of the college football season, which head coach Scott Frost said put his fourth-year program at a disadvantage both competitively and on the recruiting front.
Once the Illinois game was moved stateside, NU decided it didn’t want to have the next weekend off.
“We have been actively exploring opportunities to play a home game on Sept. 4 since our Ireland trip to play Illinois was canceled,” Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos said in a statement released by the university. “It was important for several reasons to add a September home game. It provides a better flow to the start of our season for our team, and gives us a valuable early-season showcase for recruits. This will also provide our fans and local businesses with a home game on the traditional season-opening weekend.
“We are appreciative of the flexibility of both Fordham and Southeastern Louisiana to make this schedule change possible late in the process.”
The unique beginning of the season is also what Frost says prompted Nebraska officials to consider backing out of a slated trip to Oklahoma on Sept. 18, a move that was reported and incurred significant backlash before the school made it clear it would keep the Sooners on the schedule.
“I hope that we can do something with the schedule to make sure our fans can get in and see us sooner and more often.”
They did, and now the Huskers will play eight straight weeks and then will have two bye weeks down the stretch. The first portion of the schedule looks like this:
Aug. 28: at Illinois
Sept. 4: vs. Fordham
Sept. 11: vs. Buffalo
Sept. 18: at Oklahoma
Sept. 25: at Michigan State
Oct. 2: vs. Northwestern
Oct. 9: vs. Michigan
Oct. 16: at Minnesota
Then, Nebraska has a pair of bye weeks over the span of four Saturdays. The first is the program’s originally scheduled off week and the second is where NU was going to host Southeastern Louisiana.
The rest of the 2021 slate looks like this:
Oct. 23: Bye
Oct. 30: vs. Purdue
Nov. 6: vs. Ohio State
Nov. 13: Bye
Nov. 20: at Wisconsin
Nov. 26: vs. Iowa
Fordham is a member of the Patriot League and played just three games in 2020. The Huskers and Rams have never played each other before.
With the schedule now finalized, Nebraska said football season ticket holders will receive renewal information this week.
Nebraska’s contract with Southeastern Louisiana called for a $600,000 guarantee and has that sum set as the buyout as well. However, NU’s news release said the school will explore rescheduling its slated Nov. 13 game with the FCS program to a later date.
“This will be a tremendous opportunity for the team,” Fordham coach Joe Conlin said in a statement. “Playing a game at an FBS power five school, especially one as steeped in tradition as Nebraska, will be an experience that the team will remember for years.”
Fordham has not played a Big Ten team since 1941.
Photos: All of the sights from the return of the Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) attracts a quartet of defenders in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) throws under pressure in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Two people wait for tickets before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Fans walk around Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
Aimire Rodgers, 8, stands in front of the Legacy Statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Kash Boggs (right) throws to his grandparents as Drew Milligan climbs on to the Legacy Statue for a picture before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Victor Ortiz (left) helps Kim Bergmark find her tickets on her phone before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Tristan Minderman, Omaha, throws the ball on the east side of the Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Caden Haar (left) and Ryan Whiston, both of Lincoln, pose at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Xander Wilson, of Lincoln, poses at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run on to the field to a sea of fans for the first time in the COVID-19 era before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) runs in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Omar Manning (right) is defended by White Team’s Phalen Sanford (37) in the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scrambles during the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Omar Manning (right) anticipates a pass from Adrian Martinez as he’s defended by the White Team’s Isaiah Harris (37) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost walks behind the Red Team during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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The White Team’s Wyatt Liewer (85) catches a first-down pass in front of the Red Team’s Mason Nieman to set up a game-tying touchdown by Liewer moments later on Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) signals for one more play as time runs out in the fourth quarter Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans are scattered throughout the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers scrimmage in the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers hosts a team scrimmage during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Samori Toure (6) is tackled by the White Team’s Noa Pola-Gates during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (second left) gets sacked by the White Team’s Jake Archer in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Ty Hahn catches a pass in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Darius Moore (left) intercepts a pass intended for the White Team’s Will Nixon in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team kicker Chase Contreraz (right) kicks an extra point in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Brody Belt rushes for a fourth-quarter touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Zach Weinmaster (31) tries to avoid the tackle of the White Team’s John Bullock (84) in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run onto the field before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost looks down after the White Team intercepts the ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Cameron Jurgens (left) and Riley Moses get into position during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) speaks to quarterback Adrian Martinez before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Marvin Scott III (left) runs the ball as the White Team’s Isaac Gifford goes in for the tackle during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running backs coach Ryan Held walks down the White Team’s sideline during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Fans chant “Go Big Red” moments the players take the field at the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A Nebraska fan celebrates with others after catching a hot dog fired from a cannon during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Gabe Ervin narrowly avoids being tackled by the White’s John Bullock in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Tyson Guzman (left) is pushed back by the White Team’s Trevin Luben in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander looks up at the scoreboard in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Adrian Martinez scrambles around looking for an open receiver in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) scrambles away from David Alston as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (left) protects the ball as he rushes against Damian Jackson (38) in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section stands for the national anthem during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers as the Huskers make their way onto the field for the Tunnel Walk before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Samori Toure (6) jumps over the White Team’s Noa Pola-Gates (bottom) in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Travis Vokolek (83) fends off the tackle of Jackson Hannah in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) runs the ball as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco watches the Red Team warm up before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska director of high school relations Kenny Wilhite pulls up his mask before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) smiles at offensive line coach Greg Austin after the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (bottom center) runs the ball while pursued by the White Team’s Zach Schlager (right) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A referee watches the action during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (far left) is sacked by the White Team’s Jake Archer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Beau Psencik (center) is tackled by the White Team’s John Bullock (top) and Lane McCallum in the second half during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Gabe Ervin protects the ball as he is tackled by the White Team’s Braxton Clark during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (right) speaks with wide receiver Omar Manning as they exit the field at halftime during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Marvin Scott III (second right) is swallowed up by White Team defenders Jackson Hannah (first right) and Isaac Gifford (right) as teammate Austin Allen (left) looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (center) jumps in an attempt to avoid a tackle from the Red Team’s Ashton Hausmann (29) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Young Husker fans bide their time while waiting for the Nebraska football team to begin play during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (center left) and Heinrich Haarberg (center right) walk along the sideline during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is tagged down by the White Team’s Blaise Gunnerson (24) and pursued by Jimari Butler (17) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (center) is pushed by teammates as he attempts to carry the ball for a few extra yards during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (center), playing for the Red Team, tries to elude by the White Team’s Braxton Clark (left) and Myles Farmer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska fans watch football from Memorial Stadium seats for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.