Wrigley's football layout prompts concerns

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CHICAGO, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Plans for the first college football game in 87 years at Chicago's Wrigley Field has prompted safety concerns, Sports Illustrated reported Monday.

The revered home of the Chicago Cubs is being readied for a Saturday game between Northwestern and Illinois, the annual duel for the Land of Lincoln Trophy -- the first college football contest at the site since 1938.

But one end zone will be wedged up against Wrigley's brick right-field wall, which has raised some eyebrows, SI said.

"I might need to go look at that," Northwestern receiver Demetrius Fields said. "Hopefully, it's not like arena ball, where you run into the boards on the side."

"Ultimately, we all felt that, while it's not the configuration most people see, it's safe for the players," Cubs President Crane Kenney told SI.

Also, Wrigley's tiny locker rooms will force players to be placed two to a locker for the game, said Scott Arey, Northwestern's assistant athletic director for facilities.

Despite the concerns, the nationally televised game has created a buzz in Chicago, with Northwestern fans preparing to bring their game-day Fan Fest to Sheffield Avenue outside the ballpark, the magazine said.