LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska is paying Arkansas State $1 million for playing at Memorial Stadium on Saturday the highest amount ever guaranteed to an opponent for a game in Lincoln.

Athletic director Tom Osborne said in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday that $1 million is the "going rate for a great many teams to play an away game with no return engagement."

Osborne said Arkansas State is a "decent program" and an "attractive matchup." He said he probably could have scheduled a lesser opponent for less money, but he wants to maintain a "reasonably strong schedule."

Nebraska paid Southern Mississippi $300,000 for the Sept. 1 game, but the Huskers will play an away game against the Golden Eagles next year. Idaho State will earn $600,000 for visiting next week.

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