Devaney Home Game

Two flights, a wedding, and a sea of red at 6:00 AM...all within 18 hours.  My flight out of Chicago yesterday took me to Omaha, only to turn around this morning to fly through Denver on our way to Laramie.  This is what it really takes to be a Husker fan. 


Flying out of Chicago!

Dad packing up the car at 5:00 AM to catch our flight!

We have taken our show on the road, and it's headed back to Devaney's roots in Laramie, Wyoming.  Wyoming's head coach from '57-'61, Devaney came to Lincoln in '62 and changed the course of Nebraska football forever.  Two National Championships later, his legacy is strong today as Nebraska faces Wyoming for the first time in history. 

http://www.wyomingathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092011aaa.html

Nebraska is about to invade the town of Laramie and the Cowboys' stadium.  A stadium that holds only 29,000 fans, Nebraska is expected to fill more than half of those seats.  Get ready to see a sea of red in just 9 hours. :)

Washington

The pressure this week was almost bigger than joining the Big 10 itself.  "Third time's a charm", "three and out", and our final chance at home to prove to Nebraska Nation that this team DOES have talent and the ability to execute.

We started getting ready as early as Thursday night when I decorated the cupcakes my sister baked for our tailgate.  My decor was in need of some practice, much like our team this week.

The ride from Omaha to Lincoln this week was a well-traveled one, as I spent the previous 3 days making the same trip from my parents' house in Omaha to UNL's campus for my semi-annual fall meeting with Cather Circle, a women's mentoring program with which I have been involved for 10 years this fall.  I was once again inspired by the intelligence, depth, and passion of the 100+ women in our circle.  There really is NO place like Nebraska.  The meeting only amplified the pressure, though, as I watched the buzz develop firsthand hanging out at the Wick Alumni Center all week. 

Mom, Dad and I headed down to Lincoln, parked on Fraternity row (brought back many memories of selling that lot at Alpha Phi!), and walked across campus (past the Huskies trailer) and over to Champions Club to meet the rest of the family.  Our French native Jessica even made homemade crepes with Nutella!

My little sister and I trekked up the 73 rows in the South Stadium for the third home game this season before we take our show on the road.  Was incredible to have the student section to our right; I found myself cheering, clapping, and singing right along with all of them! "Husker!, Power!"  "N-E-B-R-A-S-K-A!" "Can You Feel It?" "There is no place like Nebraska, Good ole Nebraska U!" 

And the costumes!  Even the Valentinos pizza vendor was wearing a decked out hat. 

The game started with a bang!  Two plays, and we lit up the rainy sky with the traditional balloons.  Someone even brought back the balloon string made popular last year.  Of course, it was in the student section.

After the turnover in the third quarter, a spark lit up the dreary, drizzly afternoon sky, and the Huskers reminded all of us of the powerhouse they can be.  3 and outs on D, charging down the field for TDs, and a LOUD stadium of support brought me back to the 90s when we used to run over (literally) opponents like they were high school teams.  Unfortunately, the execution was short lived, as we fell apart a bit in the 4th.  But, for the fans who were waiting for a glimpse of excellence to live up to the pressure, it was finally there.

Next week, I travel to the great state of Wyoming with my parents where we have one opportunity to perfect our road game before the mighty Badgers at Camp Randall on October 2nd.  If the pressure wasn't enough this week, our boys are in for the ride of their lives in just 13 days.  Go Big Red!

Fresno State

The air show pre-game and flyover during the tunnel walk created an air of anticipation that I haven't experienced in years.  Was the first game a fluke?  Are we really as good as the commentators say?  Tonight would be a referendum on the team.

This week's pregame was phenomenal.  It was HOT, my family's tailgate was delicious and full of energy.  Even the little fans were decked out for the pressure of the night.  Seemed like a perfect setup for what should have been a near perfect game.  We blessed our game ball and wished the Huskers good luck.  They needed it.

The verdict?  Abysmal.  Disarray. Frustration.  Letdown under the lights. 

There are not enough words to describe the miscues and inconsistency that transpired at Memorial Stadium in the Huskers' second home game against Fresno State. 

I will not offer much commentary this week, as I would have to comment on the lack of execution in every aspect of the game - minus special teams.  Maher and Abdullah were the shining stars of the night, and thank goodness they came through.  Martinez's few bright moments added to the turnaround that narrowly avoided an upset by the Bulldogs.  Fresno State deserved the win, and we deserved the spanking that will surely come in practice this week.  We have a long way to go to live up to the hype of a #10 ranking the first two weeks and a Big 10 Championship prediction.  I am prepared to support the Huskers at each step of this journey, but it will be a long a painful one if we don't get our act together, and SOON.

My seat this week was almost as pitiful as the way we played.  I was in the very last seat of the very last row, 47, of the 21st section closest to the South Stadium.  Probably best to have shaded my eyes from the fumbles and missed tackles in Fresno State's endzone the first half.

I'm back to Nebraska in two days for my semi-annual fall meeting with Cather Circle at the University.  Time to get back to the roots I know as Nebraska:  HARD WORK.  Boy, do we need it.

Tennesee at Chattanooga: It Begins

The electricity of Nebraska's season opener at home carried to the skies as lightning lit up rain-filled clouds as dawn broke over Memorial Stadium.  "Can You Feel It" blared on the loudspeakers.  Yes, I felt it.

Thanks to the hospitality of my college roommate and good friend, Patti, I woke up a mere 2 blocks from the stadium to tailgates, fight songs, and anxious fans dressed head to toe in Husker Red.  It was nostalgic listening to Lee Corso's voice booming on the tube as I texted friends and family to coordinate tailgating plans; felt like I was transported 10 years back to freshman year on campus.  Instead of grabbing the beer in the fridge and heading to a frat party across the street, though, I had breakfast and met my mom for the short journey across the bridge to the Champions Club, my more mature tailgating spot.  The painted chests and screaming college kids on Charleston Street made me smile;  some things never change no matter how much time passes.


Crossing the bridge to Memorial Stadium



My family at the tailgate



Our delicious spread.  Gotta fuel up to cheer as loud as a Nebraska fan.



Skies clear for our tailgate at Champions Club

 

Headed into the West Stadium with sister, Aunt and Mom



My sister sporting her new Husker shades!


The band, the cheerleaders, and the Scarlets dance team were in full effect despite the overcast weather.  It was incredible to have a front row view to the fanfare just outside the stadium!

Having scored a ticket in the 27th row near the 50 yard line of the West Stadium, it was by far the best seat in the house.  I quickly made friends with my neighbors and watched the stadium erupt as the unveiled this season's tunnel walk, a spin on the Big Red entering the Big Ten. 

The game itself was full of ups and downs.  A fullback carry? I-formation lineup?  Martinez runs?  Yes, my friends, the Nebraska option is back!!!  Unfortunately, this is not our beloved option of the '90s, nor is it ready for Big 10 prime time - YET.  As Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck unveiled the new and apparently improved offense, Nebraska fans smiled and grimaced as we struggled to execute.  A young offensive line and inexperienced receivers and runningbacks led to inconsistencies across the board, and Martinez's nerves in the first half led to scrambling and confused plays.  There is promise there, but whether that promise will turn into offensive strength remains to be seen.  To live up to our hype this season, though, it will need to.  We like to release our balloons early!

Our Defense was a bit more consistent, but our hyped secondary needs better execution.  170 passing yards allowed in a non-conference game just won't cut it when we play experienced teams like Wisconsin, Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa.  We absolutely have to do a better job at controlling the clock and the ball, too.  2 Turnovers and 13 first downs allowed is poor execution by our Blackshirts.  Carl and crew have some work to do, and little time to do it.  One month until we face the Badgers.  No room for error.

Brett Maher was the golden child of the day.  Incredible performance by the Junior to fill the shoes of Alex Henery, NCAA's most accurate kicker EVER.  Proud to see him in the NFL now!

Time to take a cue from our legacy and start becoming a powerhouse the only way Nebraskans know how:  hard work.  The Osborne complex and Husker Nation Pavilion will be busy this week if our boys know what is good for them.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312460158

A highlight of the Big 10 entrance came at the half when Barry Alvarez warmly welcome the Big Red to the Big 10 in true Nebraska style; he has not forgotten his roots. 

As I exited the stadium and headed toward I-80 to Omaha, I noticed the "Husker Nation" sign above Cornhusker Road and the flags flying on all of the red, white and black cars (yes, Nebraska spirits spills over to accessorizing cars, too!). 

There is something truly special about our "Husker Nation", and I realized there is something even more special about this journey for me:  reconnecting with my Nebraska roots and pride.  My commitment to this journey has already allowed me to make a commitment to my friends and family in Nebraska in the process.  Reconnecting with my Alpha Phi sorority sisters at Laura's engagement party on Friday, my college roommate Friday night, my middle school friend Lindsey and her family Saturday at a tailgate, and my family Saturday pre-game/post-game/all day Sunday was just the start. The next 3 weeks will land me back in Nebraska where I will celebrate a friend's engagement, another friend's daughter, and another friend's wedding.  All while supporting the Huskers' journey through the Big 10, a journey that is already taking on meaning as a personal journey.

Looking forward to an improved team against Fresno State in just 6 days.  Go Big Red!

Most Expensive Ticket in the Country!

Husker Tickets are Expensive and in High Demand - www.kmtv.com

With less than two days until opening kickoff, Omaha's local news station has confirmed what I learned months ago when I started scouting tickets for my adventure: Nebraska tickets are the most expensive and most in demand collegiate NCAA football tickets this season. In fact, my Nebraska - Minnesota ticket was more expensive than the Ravens ticket.

WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Possible causes:
Inaugural Big 10 season? Sure.
Nebraska's preseason Top 10 ranking? Absolutely.
Hype about the legacy this season will create? Yep.

Real reason? Nebraska fans travel better than any other fans in the country. We are showing up in droves. 50% or more sea of red at an opponent's stadium is a REAL possibility, especially this year. The Big 10 will not know what hit them.

Fans, let's hit the road...I will be in exactly 19 hours...here we come!

Player to Watch: Jared Crick

I am OBSESSED with Jared Crick...have been since he first put on his Blackshirts jersey as a Sophomore in 2009.  Back for his senior year, he will be the #1 standout on the D this year. 

Great video on ESPN:  http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6885620

Read up on our heroed player on the Husker site:  http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=831184

One Week Until Liftoff!

I am GIDDY.  I'm embarking on my last weekend in Chicago for the next 16 weekends straight, and the feeling has finally sunk in that I am really doing this. 

The response from family, friends, coworkers and customers over the last week has been shock and awe met with my silly giddy grin.  Yes, I really am going to EVERY game.  Call me dedicated, passionate, inspiring or downright crazy, I wish every weekend would be a Nebraska football weekend.

My pre-season predictions you ask?  National Champions, obviously!  I actually think we will go 10-2 regular season as a conservative estimate (more likely 11-1, but this season is hard to predict), make it to the Big 10 Championship, and make it to a BCS bowl game. 

INSPIRATION:
Best video I have seen yet, and depicts all of my favorite places on campus that bring back SO many memories.

IN THE DEED THE GLORY.  8 days until we start doing the deed.

My Bag is Packed!

The two week countdown is officially on, and my bag is packed! 

• All game tickets...check!
• All flights booked...check!
• All lodging secured (minus Penn State...working on that...)...check!
• Husker carryon suitcase...check!
• 14 outfits to cover all 12 regular season games, the Big 10 championship, and the bowl game...check!
• Football purse and Husker wristlet...check!
• Husker flip flops and Husker socks for the Big 10 games in the cold...check!
• Husker hat and gloves for the coldest of games...check!
• Husker SkinIt on my laptop to start conversations in every airport...check!
• Husker photo frame to commemorate my favorite moment of this incredible journey...check! (Thanks, Mom :) )

Over the next 2 weeks, I will spend hours studying plays, reading analyst reports, and memorizing player stats.  As I do each season, I will watch ESPN's 72-hour countdown to the start of the season.  Since this year is special, I will be watching the road to victory specials from the Big 10 Network on our National Championship wins.  So much to do, so little time!

This is real.  This is our time.  I am going to be a part of history.

Let the games begin...GO BIG RED!!!

Husker fans travel!

14 outfits ready to go!



All about the accessories!