[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
EVANSTON, Ill. \u2013 Northwestern will open its new stadium under the Friday night lights against Penn State on Oct. 2 after playing two more games on the lakefront next season, the school announced recently.<\/p>\n
The Wildcats will host South Dakota State on Sept. 5 and Colorado two weeks later while construction on Ryan Field is completed. They will play five games in their new home starting with the matchup against Penn State, which will happen 100 years to the day that the original stadium on the same site opened.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opening of the new Ryan Field marks a defining moment for Northwestern Football and reflects our continued investment in excellence across every aspect of the program,\u201d athletic director Mark Jackson said.<\/p>\n
The new Ryan Field will seat 35,000, down more than 12,000 from the old Ryan Field. It features a canopy designed to keep noise and light focused on the field and include cutting-edge technology and scoreboards, as well as concessions with food from local restaurants.<\/p>\n
Northwestern has played home games the past two years at a temporary lakefront facility.<\/p>\n
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n