Northwestern vs. Illinois State Football: Everything You Need To Know

EVANSTON, IL - Northwestern (0-1) started the season poorly (which is an understatement) with a 22-21 home defeat at the hands of Mid-American Conference opponent Western Michigan.

Running back Justin Jackson had a stellar game for the Wildcats, rushing for 124 yards and three touchdowns, but Northwestern allowed 16 second-half points, including a fourth-quarter touchdown that capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive that gave the Broncos the lead for good.

The Wildcats figure to bounce back with a win over FCS opponent Illinois State (1-0), but the Redbirds have been formidable in the FCS ranks the past two seasons, and after pummeling Valparaiso 50-13, Illinois State (ranked No. 9 in the FCS) could pose a problem to a Northwestern team that badly needs a victory.

Kickoff time: 2:30 p.m. CT
TV and radio: Big Ten Network, WGN Radio AM-720
Point spread: Not available
Tickets: Tickets are available at Northwestern football's website.
Parking
Free Campus Parking and Shuttle Map
Public Transportation to Ryan Field
CTA:
Ride the Purple CTA line to the Central Street train station, 2 blocks east of Ryan Field. Parking is available at both the Howard and Linden Stations. Visit the CTA website for more information.
Metra:
The Central Street Metra Station is also located 2 blocks to the west of Ryan Field at 1601 Central Street. Fare varies. Visit the Metra website for more information.

ALSO ON PATCH: Northwestern Wildcats 2016 Football Schedule: Where and When to Watch the Games

Football Parking & Directions

Parking

• There is no day-of-game parking at Ryan Field. Street parking around the stadium is extremely limited, and violators will be towed.
• The east and west side stadium lots as well as the golf Course parking lots are reserved for those with passes only. If you do not have a season parking permit, proceed to the designated free campus and city parking lots to avoid congestion. For a complete Northwestern campus map with parking lots indicated in purple, click here.

Free NU Shuttle Bus Service

• Free Shuttle Buses provide transportation from the campus and city parking lots to two conveniently located stadium stops.
• Free shuttle buses run continually beginning two (2) hours prior to kick off until approximately one (1) hour after the end of the game.
• After the game, Shuttles going to downtown Evanston lots will pick up on Ashland, north of Walker Way (closer to Isabella). Shuttles going to the NU campus lots will pick up on Ashland south of Walker Way (closer to Central.)

Northwestern University Shuttle Information
Gameday Shuttle Information

Charter Bus Regulations

• Charter Bus Route Map (pdf)

The City of Evanston provides free parking for charter buses for all Northwestern University home football games at Ryan Field. All buses must enter Ashland Avenue from Central Street and proceed north. Discharge passengers on the east side of the street at the stadium.
The major streets at the stadium are closed temporarily to vehicular traffic at the end of the game due to the large number of fans walking east from the stadium. Buses must stay in the lot until 15 minutes after the end of the game. Staff at the lot will release buses at the appropriate time. This allows the majority of pedestrians to clear the stadium area before the buses return (about 30 minutes after the end of the game). Buses returning early are a hazard and will not be allowed in the stadium area.

RV Parking

Due to construction on campus, there is no RV Parking for the 2016 Northwestern football season.