The Big Ten announced today game times for 2010 conference Homecoming games. The Fighting Illini will play at Penn State on Oct. 9 at 11 am CT, at Michigan State on Oct. 16 at 11 am CT and home on Oct. 23 against Indiana, also at 11 am CT. The Illinois Homecoming on Oct. 23 will be the 100th Homecoming celebration on the UI Campus.
In addition, Illinois and Wisconsin have agreed to move the 2011 and 2012 football games to the first Saturday in December. In 2011, the teams will play on Dec. 3 at Memorial Stadium, while the 2012 game will take place on Dec. 1 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
“We had a chance to play a later game this past season and I thought there were several advantages to the extended season,” said Illinois coach Ron Zook. “We place a high priority on hosting the Illinois state championship games at Memorial Stadium, and this helps us with a bye week later in the season. It also provides a nice opportunity for our players and fans to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with their families.”
The games were originally scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend in 2011 and 2012 with the teams meeting in Champaign on Nov. 26, 2011 and in Madison on Nov. 24, 2012.
2010 Illinois Football Schedule
Sept. 4 – Missouri (at St. Louis), time TBA
Sept. 11 – SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, 6:30 pm (BTN)
Sept. 18 – NORTHERN ILLINOIS, time TBA
Oct. 2 – OHIO STATE, time TBA
Oct. 9 – at Penn State, 11 am CT
Oct. 16 – at Michigan State, 11 am CT
Oct. 23 – INDIANA, 11 am CT (Homecoming)
Oct. 30 – PURDUE, time TBA
Nov. 6 – at Michigan, time TBA
Nov. 13 – MINNESOTA, time TBA
Nov. 20 – at Northwestern (Wrigley Field, Chicago), 11 am CT
Dec. 3 – at Fresno State, 9:15 pm CT (ESPN2)
The Wildcats’ homecoming game versus Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 23 will begin at 11 a.m. CT. Northwestern’s road game at Minnesota on Oct. 2, the Golden Gophers’ homecoming contest, also will kick off at 11 a.m. CT.
Television plans for these two games have yet to be determined.
Northwestern opens the 2010 season at Vanderbilt University on Saturday, Sept. 4 before returning to Ryan Field the following Saturday for its home lid-lifter against Illinois State. Kickoff time for the Illinois State game is likely to be announced on or before July 1.
Season tickets are on sale now. A reminder that if you wish to purchase tickets to the Northwestern-Illinois game at Wrigley Field on Nov. 20, you must purchase season tickets.