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Nebraska Football to Replace FieldTurf with Natural Grass Inside Memorial Stadium

After decades of playing on an artificial surface, Nebraska football is planning to install natural grass inside Memorial Stadium.

Kaleb Henry

Nebraska football players tackle during the Red-White Spring Game on the FieldTurf of Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football players tackle during the Red-White Spring Game on the FieldTurf of Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium. / Nebraska Athletics
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The days of an artificial surface inside Memorial Stadium are coming to an end.

In a recent interview with The Athletic, Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen said the plan is to replace the FieldTurf with natural grass.

Dannen said the change could potentially be done in time for the 2026 season, meaning just two more years on FieldTurf.

But first, they will have to replace the surfaces on the fields outside the new Osborne Legacy Complex. That will come next year as the Huskers practice on natural grass in preparation, and as a test, for the stadium change.

Maryland Terrapins running back Antwain Littleton II is stopped short of a first down on a fourth down play by Nebraska.
Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Antwain Littleton II (7) is stopped short of a first down on a fourth down play by Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher (0), linebacker Javin Wright (33), and defensive back Tommi Hill (31) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

"I think grass is safer than turf," coach Matt Rhule said earlier this year.

Nebraska has played on an artificial surface since 1970. That includes the success under Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne, five national championship years and 17 conference titles.

Dannen also spoke on roster sizes, the announcement on 1890 as the official NIL partner of the Huskers, and NU's finish in the Director's Cup standings. Read Mitch Sherman's piece here.

You can also hear Sherman talk with Connor Happer during their Locked On Nebraska podcast below.

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Kaleb Henry
KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE's representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 

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