Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione reiterated Friday that the Sooners plan to face Nebraska in the 2021 football season, despite reports that Nebraska is trying to get out of the Sept. 18 game in Norman.
Castiglione responded to media inquiries and tweeted that the Nebraska-Oklahoma game was set to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the “Game of the Century,” when Nebraska No. 2 beat Oklahoma 35-31 in Norman. Stadium reported Friday that Nebraska is trying to get out of the matchup and are contacting potential opponents about playing a game in Lincoln that day. Sources told the Lincoln Journal Star that Nebraska is “investigating the feasibility of the move.”
“We have been looking forward to celebrating these two legendary programs and have worked together on different aspects of what promises to be a special weekend,” Castiglione wrote in his tweet“We fully intend and expect to play the game as planned.”
Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos did not immediately return a text message from ESPN.
In 2012, Nebraska and Oklahoma agreed to play a home-and-home series in 2021 and 2022, renewing their Big Eight / Big 12 rivalry. The teams added another home-and-home series in 2016 for 2029 (Norman) and 2030 (Lincoln).
Oklahoma and Nebraska last played in the 2010 Big 12 championship game. The Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten the following year.
Oklahoma leads the series 45-38-3 all time; the teams met annually from 1928 to 1997. After defeating Oklahoma in 1971, Nebraska won its second consecutive national championship.