Sea of Red

Yesterday I experienced something I would have never imagined. My first Nebraska football game. Yes, we won...didn't play with any particular style, but, it does go in the win column. Other than their lack luster play, it was an amazing experience.

It's hard to believe having grown up in Lincoln, that I never went to a game or even went downtown on game day. We were able to go because our realtor, gave us the tickets she won. We arrived around 3:30 p.m. to find parking. Which we did, upon our exit from the parking garage, we saw the FULL sign go up. Then, we walked into the sea of red, and headed for Embassy Suites Hotel to meet up with our friend and her nephew. We walked in to a haze of red and the Husker fight song! We then made our way to the Journal Star parking lot, where you can rent out a spot for tailgating. It was amazing the amount of food, drink and people! People were playing games, grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, drinking--everything from soda pop to beer, etc. If you closed your eyes, your senses would peak with the smells and sounds. I wouldn't recommend closing your eyes, however, you would definitely get run over...

What is amazing to me is the amount of Nebraska memorabilia there is out there--for the car, the grill, and the body! Nebraska (Husker/N) flags and footballs were flying. We left that tailgating party to go to the Champions Club (she gave us those tickets too). To say I felt out of place would be an understatement. First, I am not a graduate of UNL and, secondly, we knew no one there! We walked around and took in all the people and their tailgating parties. Most of them even had TV's set up with satellite to have the game going. Not sure if they watched it from outside Memorial Stadium or inside.

Once they opened the gates to the stadium, we walked in and found our seats...South Stadium, end zone! To say they were excellent seats, would be an understatement. I could have reached out and touched Taylor Martinez (hmmm, wonder if they would have arrested me...I digress). The colors, the sounds, the smells of the stadium really get the blood pumping. We were enjoying the pre game show, watching the cheer leaders and band play. As that started, the stadium started to fill. There were a little over 85,000 of us there last night. You get very up close and personal with the people seated next to you. The seating does leave a lot to be desired. But, when they start that music and the Nebraska boys start coming out of the tunnel, that's when it starts rocking and you seem to forget the close quarters.

We were seated two people down from some South Dakota fans. Needless to say, South Dakota State gave us a run for our money! They nearly kicked our butts. They made us work for that win. But, not very graciously. Coach Pelini said it was his fault and it was a team effort--I have to disagree. I thought the defense played way better than the offense. But, I am not a coach nor do I claim to be all knowing when it comes to football. What was truly amazing to me was the fact that the Nebraska fans, surrounding the South Dakota fans, instead of booing or picking a fight with them, actually gave South Dakota their due. They conceded South Dakota was kicking our butts. And, surprised this was an 0-2 team!

My husband jokes that Nebraska fans don't know the Huskers aren't a professional team, be that as it may, it's the best team we have (disclaimer: with the exception of the women's volleyball team). The team seems to thrive on the fans support as much as the fans thrive on their football team. Nothing to me says Nebraska as much as the fans giving South Dakota fans props on their team. That is Husker way, graciousness and pride.

So, we have been to our first game, will there be others? I hope so. Tickets are hard to find around here. Do we have Husker Fever...almost...GO BID RED!!!