<p>LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska finalized its 2021 football schedule with the addition of a home game against Fordham on Sept. 4, replacing a previously scheduled November game against Southeastern Louisiana.</p>
<p>The game against the Rams, a Football Championship Subdivision member in New York City, was announced Monday and gives Nebraska two home dates in September.</p>
<p>Fordham will be playing an opponent from a Power Five conference for the first time since 1954, the last season before the program went on hiatus for nine years. Nebraska will pay a $500,000 guarantee.</p>
<p>The Cornhuskers open Aug. 29 at Illinois. That game originally was scheduled to be played in Dublin, Ireland.</p>
<p>“We have been actively exploring opportunities to play a home game on Sept. 4 since our Ireland trip to play Illinois was canceled,” Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos said. “It was important for several reasons to add a September home game. It provides a better flow to the start of our season for our team, and gives us a valuable early-season showcase for recruits. This will also provide our fans and local businesses with a home game on the traditional season-opening weekend."</p>
<p>Moos said he appreciated the flexibility of Fordham and Southeastern Louisiana to make the schedule change possible. The Huskers had been scheduled to play Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 13.</p>
<p>Fordham was 2-1 in three spring games. The Rams were 4-8 in 2019 and did not play a 2020 fall season because of the pandemic.</p>
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