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‘Nobody can match Nebraska fans with how you travel’: John Anthony talks Illini-Huskers in Ireland
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Nebraska fans are known for their ability to travel, regardless of where the game is being played. It’s one of the reasons the fanbase has earned the moniker as one of the most passionate in college football.
So making the decision to include the Huskers in a game in Dublin, Ireland was easy for John Anthony of the Irish American Events Limited.
Monday, it was announced that Illinois and Nebraska will play in Ireland to open the 2021 season. It will be a Week 0 game to open up the year. On Tuesday, Anthony talked about the decision to include Nebraska in the game, a decision he thought was fairly easy.
“Nobody can match Nebraska fans with how you travel,” he said, according to Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Herald.
Anthony was in the stadium in 2000 for a game between Nebraska and Notre Dame was impressed with the turnout.
John Anthony of the Irish-American events group said he went to a Big Ten meeting and locked in on Nebraska and AD Bill Moos.
“Nobody can match Nebraska fans with how you travel.”
Anthony was in the stands for the 2000 Nebraska/Notre Dame game.
“I’ve never forgotten it.”
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 15, 2019
“This is the first time in history that there will be consecutive years of American college football games in Ireland,” Anthony said, according to ESPN. “We are honored that these universities recognize that the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is much more than a game.”
Both Illinois and Nebraska have issued statements, saying it’s a great opportunity for the universities and the student-athletes involved.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB