Are you ready for some Friday night football? Like it or not, it will be a reality for Penn State in 2018.

Penn State will kick off its 2018 conference slate with a road trip to Illinois, set for Friday, Sept. 21. The game was originally scheduled to take place on Sept. 22.

The Big Ten made the decision to expand its reach by having six games per season, beginning this year. Let’s just say Big Ten coaches were not pleased about the change, as the move creates many other issues- strained relationships with area high schools, logistical issues of hosting a football game on a weekday when classes are in session, and a short week for teams who are required to play on Fridays.

Regardless, we’ll get our first taste of Friday night football for the Nittany Lions in 11 months. The game will follow a home contest with Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 15 but will allow for an additional day of preparation ahead of a home game with Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 29.