Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys!
I have never witnessed so much pride in one University, one town, or one team. From the moment we hit our gate in Denver to board our Beach 1900 Turbo Prop plane (officially the smallest plane I have ever boarded in my life!) to Laramie, Wyoming, there were Cowboys everywhere I looked.
While waiting for our mini plane, my parents and I struck up a conversation with Travis Morgan, the host of KMTV 3’s Sunday night “Sports Soundoff” show. When we realized the four of us were almost half the total number of people on our plane, we knew we were in for an adventure. The craft held a total of 21 people at capacity with one seat on each side of the plane, no overhead compartments, and a flight attendant who was also the copilot. Everyone gets a window AND an aisle seat! J The propellers spun, and soon we were off on our 45 minute flight into the Laramie Regional Airport. When we landed, they informed us that we would wait for a knock on the door to let us know it was safe to exit; what a trip!
Laramie is a town of 26,000, and it is literally in the middle of nowhere. There were more pawn and gun shops than restaurants and bars, and the charm of the small town carried through in the hospitality of its people. Kelly, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car intern and student at UW, gave us the grand tour on our drive to pick up our car: 3rd and Grand Streets as the center intersection and the University down Grand Street. End of tour. She informed us to keep our car unlocked when we leave it at the Airport on Sunday and to park next to the Stadium (literally) so we would not have to walk far. It was like walking onto the set of an old Western movie, and WOW do they love to adorn EVERYTHING with their famous Cowboys logo! Such a far cry from my world in Chicago or game day in Lincoln!
We followed Kelly’s recommendation and saddled up to a cozy table at the local brewery and on campus bar, The Library. It was a sea of red. A bar, restaurant, and drive through carry-out liquor store, this was the place to be. We literally parked right out back; how convenient! I ordered the “Devil’s Tower Honey Ale”, aptly named after the local National Monument sacred to Native Americans, and we started pre-gaming on campus with the 32,000+ fans who traveled near and far to fill an extended stadium for the Pokes’ third largest sellout in history. Library-themed, a poster of Nebraska’s own Willa Cather hung near the back door next to a Cowboys poster. I smiled when I found a bit of Nebraska in the middle of the Old West.
The sprawling campus was pristinely kept, and I was in awe of the Cowboys branding at every turn: fences, trash cans, awnings, soap dispensers, bathroom signs, concession stands, sidewalks, parking reservation placards, every campus building, license plates, and the street signs, of course. The RV lot and entire campus was packed with Nebraska tailgates lined up for miles. We were greeted by locals and welcomed by children and elderly; “Thank you for making the trip, and we are glad to have you here.”
The stadium itself is laid out much like a high school stadium, and the Pokes enter under “The Arch” at the North end of the stadium. Along the box suites were the history of Bowl Games attended and the years they made it. Nebraska’s stadium only lists National Championships , Conference Championships, Heisman trophy winners, consecutive sellouts, and All Americans. 7,220 feet makes the stadium the highest D1 football stadium in the country. Much like the town’s lifestyle, the Pokes reality and game day experience was much different than ours.
We were within arm’s reach at all times of the Husker players and coaches as they walked down the ramp to practice. I was able to greet each player as they entered the field and gave high fives to my Husker heros: Lavonte David, Matt Stafford, Amir Abdullah, Cameron Meredith, Alfonso Dennard and Taylor Martinez among others. We laughed with Ron Brown when he hooked a left into the concessions instead of heading straight back to practice; “Headed to the peanut stand” he joked to the fans with a smile.
We LOVED the giant boot and started a photo frenzy posing with it. Smoke encircled the boot throughout the game from the canons fired at each kickoff and each Wyoming score, a tradition that scared the wits out of most unassuming Nebraskans not expecting live artillery.
Our seats were surreal: first row. The entire section of fans behind us was in red, and we had a front row view of the crazy getups and fans passing by. “Cowboy Ken” wore a trashcan on suspenders, Cowboy boots, and a Wyoming helmet. The cheerleaders had big bows and glitter in their hair; reminded me of my getup at high school games. The fans were decked out in Cowboy boots and shorts for the sunny 5:30 PM kickoff. And, Husker Elvis even made the trip. Nearly every other Cowboy fan was carrying a baby under the age of one. The game is obviously a family experience, and I’m guessing that all of the town’s babysitters were already at the game. Much like a high school stadium, the front row was also the main concourse for folks to get to their seats. I was baffled at the constant stream of traffic walking in front of us with no acknowledgement of the game going on 10 yards away. It was obvious that the Cowboys care more about the experience than the play happening on the field.
The game itself was more of a challenge for our ‘Skers than many anticipated. Averaging over 500 yards a game in offense, Wyoming’s young players ran all over our inconsistent defense. All over us. My new friend Travis described it best: “Nebraska is running a bend don’t break defense.” We were sure limbered up by the end of the game under that philosophy, as we were bending out of the way of Wyoming’s receivers and running backs on almost every play.
Our offense showed some improvements, especially with the run in the second half. I’m building confidence in Tim Beck’s ability to adjust at the half, as we have done so each week without exception. Despite this, we still managed a turnover and were not able to convert in the red zone. Maher got some great punting practice after we kicked the ball away more times than I could count. The mountain air put the ball through the end zone on nearly every kick. We have great talent and great promise, but our first game on the road leaves we more worried than ever for Camp Randall in just 6 days.
The Library was packed post-game, and we were seated at the same table from lunch with our server, Cat. A hearty dinner and another Devil’s Tower Honey Ale later, we passed through the dozens of yellow and red-clad fans drinking in the parking lot and headed back down 3rd street to our hotel. As Kelly promised, 3rd and Grand was alive with fans partying the night away in the blocked off street. Having been awake since 4:30 AM to catch our flights after a late night wedding reception the night before, this Husker fan was all tuckered out.
We spent the first part of the day Sunday with Hannah, our bubbly waitress at Tommy Jack’s on 3rd and Grand. Not only did Hannah make a delicious mango salsa, but she made us feel right at home in her hometown. From there, we headed across the street to 3rd Street Bar and hung out with the locals watching NFL Sunday. The bartenders were all drinking and hanging out with their friends, and it was obvious that they all knew each other. There was a crock pot of Alaskan Smoked Salmon for all patrons, and we witnessed a few people go back in the kitchen to make their own food.
Our flight back to Denver was in another “puddle jumper” plane as my mom affectionately calls the small jets. An old phrase from my Grandpa certainly suited the old world feel of the little town of Laramie. This journey will surely be the most unique of my season and was a great way to close out the preconference season.
With Nebraska moving up to #8 in the polls and Wisconsin dropping to #7 this week, Game Day is all set for next Saturday. This should be the matchup of the century. Big 10, here we come!
