Oregon Ducks Football: Ducks sign home and home series with Nebraska

[From the desk of Dave Williford]

EUGENE, Ore. - The University of Oregon and the University of Nebraska have agreed to a two-game home-and-home football series to be played during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, with the Huskers scheduled to make their first trip ever to Eugene on Sept. 9, 2017.

The series will commence in Lincoln, Neb., on Sept. 17, 2016 where five of the previous six games between the two schools have been played. The two teams met for the first time in history in 1952 in Portland.

The meetings will feature one of the most successful football programs in the country during the past decade against one of college football's traditional championship contenders. Oregon is one of only 11 FBS teams in the country to win 101 games or more since the start of the 2003 season and the only program to play in a BCS bowl game each of the past four seasons. Nebraska has claimed five national titles and has played in four additional national championship games.

This will mark the first meeting between the two schools since 1986, with Nebraska holding a 5-1 advantage. Oregon's lone win in the series took place in Lincoln in 1953 as the Ducks prevailed for a 20-12 win.
"We are thrilled to be able to add a school with a rich tradition like Nebraska to our schedule," Oregon Athletics Director Rob Mullens said. "Our scheduling philosophy has revolved around ensuring we have at least one game each season against a major non-conference opponent. With the Pac-12 having a nine game conference schedule, we are fortunate to be well-positioned through 2021 against some of the best in college football, which will serve us very well with the implementation of the playoff system next season."
The addition of the Big Ten Conference power represents the completion of Oregon's football schedules through the end of the 2017 season.

The Ducks begin a home-and-home series with Michigan State in 2014, with the Spartans visiting Autzen Stadium on Sept. 13 and Oregon returning to East Lansing, Mich., in 2015. Virginia will return the Ducks' visit to Charlottesville from earlier this season in 2016 while Oregon also has agreements in place to play Texas A&M in 2018 (Eugene) and 2019 (College Station) as well as Ohio State in 2020 (Eugene) and 2021 (Columbus).

In the past 15 years, Oregon has completed home-and-home series with Michigan State (1998-99), Wisconsin (2000-01), Mississippi State (2002-03), Michigan (2003-07), Oklahoma (2004-06), Purdue (2008-09) and Tennessee (2010-13).