Illini, Mizzou calling off annual game

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois and Missouri's traditional season-opening football game in St. Louis will come to an end after 2010.

Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther told The (Champaign) News-Gazette that the neutral site game makes it tough for Illinois to have more than six home games in a season. Most major schools try to play seven.

The games have been big, nationally broadcast TV draws. But Illinois is winless in the series' first four years.

Guenther says the schools might resume play at some point. But they would play in each other's stadiums.

This fall's game will be Sept. 5.

-- AP