Northwestern-Wisconsin moved from Wrigley Field

Northwestern football’s game versus Wisconsin scheduled November 7 will not be played at Wrigley Field, the athletic department said in a release Wednesday.

Athletic Director Jim Phillips cited “the uncertainty of football and baseball schedules and the possibility of limited attendance” as reasons for the venue change. A team spokesman said it’s “safe to assume” the game would take place at Ryan Field, per Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune. The game location is now listed as Ryan Field on NUSports.com.

It’s the first change to Northwestern’s 2020 football schedule as momentum builds toward the possibility of an altered season as the U.S. has experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases over the past month.

Power Five conference leaders have been fairly quiet thus far on plans for the season, which many see in jeopardy, aside from acknowledging the need for flexibility amid deteriorating conditions nationwide. The Ivy League is expected to announce the moving of its fall football season to the spring, but that decision is a less likely one for FBS schools.

The release maintained Northwestern is still scheduled to begin its season Sept. 5 at Michigan State.