Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Wrigley Field is ready to host Saturday's showdown between Iowa and Northwestern.
The historic baseball field has been transformed into a football field for the matchup between the Big Ten rivals.
Front Office Sports @FOSIowa and Northwestern play at Wrigley Field today β just its third college football game since 1938.<br><br>Since the Cubs' season ended, dozens of employees have been working to transform the playing surface.<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/abovethechi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abovethechi</a>) <a href="https://t.co/tupbgRlvcS">pic.twitter.com/tupbgRlvcS</a>
Northwestern Football @NUFBFamilyBehind the scenes look at Wrigley π<a href="https://twitter.com/lolowithrow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lolowithrow</a> with the full tour of today's gameday setup π₯β¬οΈ <a href="https://t.co/tqtBlAu0qi">pic.twitter.com/tqtBlAu0qi</a>
See AlsoMore Looks Inside Wrigley Field As It Transforms Into a Football Stadium - Bleacher NationA βunique, special experienceβ: College football returns to Wrigley Field | Chicago Cubs News
Keith Murphy @MurphyKeithGetting ready for football at Wrigley Field. <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeHornTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlakeHornTV</a> is already on the scene. π₯ <br>Blake is a good follow for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawkeyes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hawkeyes</a> fans. <a href="https://t.co/sjEa2kuzJ9">pic.twitter.com/sjEa2kuzJ9</a>
Both teams also hyped the matchup on social media with Wrigley-themed banners that include the famous marquee and ivy.
Northwestern Football @NUFBFamilyFootball. Wrigley. πππ ππππ¬.<br><br>π Iowa<br>β° 2:30 pm CT<br>π Wrigley Field<br>π» <a href="https://twitter.com/WGNRadio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WGNRadio</a><br>πΊ <a href="https://twitter.com/peaco*ck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peaco*ck</a> <a href="https://t.co/xqy8MRUvur">pic.twitter.com/xqy8MRUvur</a>
Football used to be a regular event at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Bears played home games at the stadium from 1921 to 1970 before moving to Soldier Field for the 1971 NFL season.
Kevin Gallagher @KevG163NFL Action from 79 years ago today,<br>October 29, 1944<br><br>Chicago <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bears</a> 28, Cleveland <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rams?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rams</a> 21<br><br>From Wrigley Field<br><br>Film narrated by "The Galloping Ghost", Bears legend Red Grange <a href="https://t.co/1kv70GxqqH">pic.twitter.com/1kv70GxqqH</a>
This will mark the third time Northwestern has played at Wrigley Field since 2010. The previous two games, in 2010 and 2021, had to find interesting solutions due to a lack of space on the field.
Ben Stevens @BenScottStevensSince 1938, two CFB games have been played at Wrigley Field. <br><br>1st in 2010 (ILL v NW). East end zone was too close to wall in right. Played in one direction. <br><br>2nd in 2021 (PUR v NW). Both end zones used, but only one sideline was occupied. <br><br>Football at the Friendly Confines. <a href="https://t.co/iaYJtAlTqC">pic.twitter.com/iaYJtAlTqC</a>
Despite being known as the Friendly Confines, Wrigley Field hasn't been particularly nice to the hometown Wildcats in their past two games. They are 0-2 and have been outscored 80-41.
Players on the opposing teams in those games had some of the best performances of their career at Wrigley.
The first time Northwestern played at the park was against Illinois on Oct. 27, 1923, four years before William Wrigley renamed the stadium.
Jacob Pavilack @JacobPavsGame program and photos from the first time NU played at Wrigley Field, then known as Cubs Park.<br><br>The 'Cats make the trip back down the Northwestern Elevated, now known as the Purple/Red Lines, for today's 2:30 pm CT kick against Iowa. <a href="https://t.co/6xJeW4D4kz">pic.twitter.com/6xJeW4D4kz</a>
Wildcats players Xander Mueller and Jake Arthurs, who were born in nearby Wheaton, Illinois, shared their thoughts about what playing a game at Wrigley Field means to them.
Northwestern Football @NUFBFamilyPerks of being Chicago's Big Ten Team.<br><br>π <a href="https://twitter.com/xandermueller13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@xandermueller13</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeArthurs31?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JakeArthurs31</a> on what it means to play at Wrigley Field. <a href="https://t.co/16EuPFxgUH">pic.twitter.com/16EuPFxgUH</a>
Iowa doesn't have as much experience playing in a baseball stadium as Northwestern, but it's not totally unfamiliar to members of the coaching staff. The Hawkeyes beat Boston College, 27-20, in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 27, 2017.
Mitch Fick @MCFickIn honor of <a href="https://twitter.com/HawkeyeFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HawkeyeFootball</a>'s return to a baseball stadium on Saturday for the first time since 2017's Pinstripe Bowl...<br><br>Before there was Tory Taylor at Wrigley Field, there was Nate Stanley at Yankee Stadium.<br><br>πΉ: <a href="https://twitter.com/MiaOBrienTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MiaOBrienTV</a> <a href="https://t.co/xq2TJemtNf">pic.twitter.com/xq2TJemtNf</a>
As is typical for Iowa football, the offense wasn't good in the win over Boston College. Quarterback Nate Stanley went 8-of-15 for 99 yards and one touchdown. The Hawkeyes averaged 2.6 yards per carry on 39 rushing attempts, yet they still found a way to win.
Iowa will be looking to rebound after a disappointing 12-10 loss to Minnesota last week that knocked it out of control of its own destiny in the Big Ten West division.
Northwestern (4-4) has alternated wins and losses each week so far this season. The Wildcats are coming off a 33-27 victory over Maryland on Oct. 28.
