2018 Northwestern Football Schedule Announced

EVANSTON, IL — For the first time in 40 years, the Wildcats will welcome the Fighting Irish as the University of Notre Dame visits Ryan Field. Also featured on the complete Northwestern Wildcats 2018 football schedule released Wednesday are home games against Big Ten opponents Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and Illinois.

Season tickets for the 2018 home campaign will go on sale in January, with 2017 season ticket holders having the guaranteed right to purchase. Northwestern kicks off the 2017 season on Sept. 2 against Nevada and will host five Big Ten home games for the first time in school history.

The 2018 season will begin with a Big Ten Conference match-up for the first time since 1984 as the Wildcats kick off at Purdue before coming back to Evanston for three straight home games.

Northwestern will welcome Duke and Akron to Ryan Field from outside the conference before hosting the Michigan Wolverines on Sept. 29 as the Big Team home opener.

Two weeks later, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will visit the Wildcats on Oct. 13, with a home game against the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 27.

Notre Dame's first visit to Ryan Field since 1976 has been scheduled for Nov. 3. Northwestern has won each of the last two meetings between the programs, including a 2014 overtime 43-40 victory at Notre Dame Stadium.

The Wildcats finish their regular season schedule in Evanston against the University of Illinois in the annual battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy. Northwestern has taken the previous two match-ups in the series, and four of the last five.

2018 NU Wildcats Football Schedule (Home games in bold)

• Saturday, September 1 at Purdue
• Saturday, September 8 vs. Duke
• Saturday, September 15 vs. Akron
• Saturday, September 29 vs. Michigan
• Saturday, October 6 at Michigan State
• Saturday, October 13 vs. Nebraska
• Saturday, October 20 at Rutgers
• Saturday, October 27 vs. Wisconsin
• Saturday, November 3 vs. Notre Dame
• Saturday, November 10 at Iowa
• Saturday, November 17 at Minnesota
• Saturday, November 24 vs. Illinois

Top photo via Patch file