Wrigley Field football game to be played in one direction

For one day at least, Northwestern (7-3) and Illinois (5-5) will be two Big Ten Conference football programs headed in the same direction … west.

Saturday’s game, the first college football matchup at Wrigley Field since 1938, has been in the works for months, but it was decided Friday that the Cozy Confines were too confining in the east end zone. In one of the more bizarre moments in Wrigley Field history — and remember, the Cubs play here — the Big Ten determined that Northwestern and Illinois will both play toward the west end zone.

The area of concern is the few feet separating the back of the east end zone and the right field wall. The barrier has been heavily fortified, but not enough to allow receivers to make Willie Mays catches at full speed onto the warning track.

So all kickoffs, extra points and offensive plays will be played in the same direction. Holy cow!