There is no place like Nebraska

[knapplc]

There's a reason people call us "the greatest fans on earth" or whatever it is. Aside from a few nozzles out there we do our best to be worthy of such praise. Here's how one Louisiana-Lafayette found felt about his experience in Lincoln last weekend:

 

LINK

 

This is my 18th season covering Cajuns football. And, for eight years before that, I had the opportunity to broadcast selected games on TV as well.

 

I've been to nine SEC stadiums. (I'll go to a tenth next season at Georgia.) I've seen the grove at Ole Miss, experienced the Gator Chomp, the Mississippi State cowbells, been a part of Alabama football in both Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. I've been called "Tigerbait" in Baton Rouge and experienced some pretty good hospitality in South Carolina.

 

I've said hello to the folks at Illinois and Minnesota. Felt September heat in Tempe, AZ.

 

Been to Manhattan, Lubbock, Austin, Stillwater and College Station. College Station was probably the best. Folks say "Howdy" when they see you. And they say "welcome."

 

Haven't been to the Horseshoe, the Big House or Happy Valley. Nor have I seen Touchdown Jesus.

 

But I've been to College Football Nirvana.

 

It's located in Lincoln, Nebraska.

 

From the time we touched down ("Welcome to Lincoln," the police officers doing the escort said) to the time we left the stadium ("Thanks so much for coming, have a safe trip home. We hope you'll come back again") every Cajun fan felt like a guest.

 

That's right. A guest. Not the opposition...not the enemy....a guest.

 

Check into the Cornhusker Marriott, not far from campus. Fans of Big Red Nation are already there. Smiles, handshakes....welcome to Lincoln. Good luck tomorrow.

 

Board the bus for dinner. Arrive at Misty's, Lincoln's famous steakhouse (I mean, you gotta eat a steak, right?). There were about 25 in our party. We had to wait about twenty minutes for them to get everything ready. No problem. As soon as the patrons saw the Cajun gear, they wanted to talk...introduce themselves....welcome to Lincoln....thanks so much for coming. Hope you enjoy the game.....

 

Is this for real??

 

And, it continued throughout the evening and into the night. We made lots of friends. We Cajun people make friends pretty easily, but it's even easier when folks want to be friends.

 

In Lincoln, they all want to be your friend.

 

Gameday is different in Lincoln. They tailgate, sure....but it's tougher because, well, there's just not a lot of tailgaiting spots. But they do open the soccer field next to the stadium. Families can let the kids roam free. Nebraska radio does a pregame show there. And, a band plays during the commercial breaks.

 

I did an interview at the soccer field with the Nebraska radio folks. And then, had a pretty good trek to the media entrance. At each gate, the sight was the same. Hundreds lined up, waiting for the gates to open so they could get into the stadium and watch their team warm up.

 

By the time Nebraska came out, about 45 minutes before kickoff, the stadium was about 65% full. There was no "hey, let's stay outside and pound a few more beers."

 

Because it was gameday. And they came to see football.

 

By the time the band was ready to come out, 86000 strong were in their seats. They stood and clapped along when the Cornhusker Band played "Fight on Cajuns" to honor their guests. And when the band played "There is no Place Like Nebraska" I knew that the statement was true.

 

For the first time ever in my years covering the Cajuns, I did not hear a single boo when the Cajuns came out of their tunnel onto their sidelines; in fact, I heard a smattering of applause.

 

During the game, 86000 cheered as Nebraska rolled. They didn't leave at halftime to go out and start drinking (and remember it was 34-0 at the half). Some were outside, but they had passes to get back in and by the time the second half was ready to kick off, they were all back in their seats.

 

In the fourth quarter there were STILL over 80000 in the stands. Security keeps an eye out for the sign of alcohol in the stands, which is how trouble starts. If they see alcohol they don't turn a blind eye. After all, college football is about a FAMILY atmosphere.

 

And when it ended, the fans stayed for another Cornhusker tradition. They applauded the Cajuns as they left the field.

 

Now you might say...sure, it's easy to clap for someone when you just beat them 55-0. But they do that when their team LOSES. The newspaper on Saturday morning reprinted a handwritten letter from Florida State coach Bobby Bowden after the Seminoles got a hard fought 18-14 win years ago. Yep, the Nebraska fans cheered them as they left.

 

More of the same post game. There was a young man in a wheelchair where the Cajun players were getting their postgame meal. As each player came out, the young man thanked them for coming and wished them safe travels home. Many of the players stopped to chat for a minute.

 

Then it was over. And, as the buses left for the airport, the fans that were still there waved and applauded. No one finger salutes. No "you suck" chants. Simply, safe travels, my friends.

 

If the two teams should play again in the future, plan ahead Cajun Fans. Make the long drive or the relatively short flight. Come in Friday...leave Sunday. And, you will learn what REAL college football atmosphere is about.

 

Because, trust me.....there is no place like Nebraska.

[np_husker]

That is awesome!

[s.c. husker]

Good story, just seen it on FB.

[redout22]

Great story. Are there any Cajun fans on this board that made it up to Lincoln? If so how did the trip go?

[knapplc]

Good story, just seen it on FB.

From JB? That's where I saw it, too.

[knapplc]

Great story. Are there any Cajun fans on this board that made it up to Lincoln? If so how did the trip go?

This was the first time where I didn't notice a lot of opponent fans coming to the Board to talk about the game this year. Too bad, too.

[skersfan]

Great article, coment.

 

That is what is meant by the slogan WE ARE NEBRASKA. Pride and respect is what this program was built on.

[ohiohusker]

Makes me feel proud.....!!!!!

[Bradr]

Very nice!

 

But has anyone noticed more booing and general rudeness in the stands lately? It seems like in the last 5 years or so, the classiness of some of the fans has been on a downward trend. (You can say that the team's play over the last 5 years has encouraged this, but not a good enough excuse).

 

Had the worst ones yet behind me for the LA game.

[jjamuss]

its a fine thing, being one of the quality fans the embody what this article illustrates... simply that, there is NO place like Nebraska.

 

GO BIG RED!!

[jjamuss]

Very nice!

 

But has anyone noticed more booing and general rudeness in the stands lately? It seems like in the last 5 years or so, the classiness of some of the fans has been on a downward trend. (You can say that the team's play over the last 5 years has encourages this, but not a good enough excuse).

 

Had the worst ones yet behind me for the LA game.

theres always some wanker trying to get some attention... after a few games of running one's mouth do they realize they are in company of their own. Nobody wants to be heard/seen as a 'mizzery fan'.

[Husker_x]

There's always going to be a few that get plenty tanked before the game starts that make the rest of us look bad. But all in all, EVERYONE reports the same stuff when they come to Lincoln. And we should be damn proud that our fanbase is a place where even opposing teams want to come. That's part of what makes Nebraska special.

[admo]

There's a bit of dust in here... awesome read.

[admo]

"I've been to nine SEC stadiums. (I'll go to a tenth next season at Georgia.) I've seen the grove at Ole Miss, experienced the Gator Chomp, the Mississippi State cowbells, been a part of Alabama football in both Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. I've been called "Tigerbait" in Baton Rouge and experienced some pretty good hospitality in South Carolina.

 

I've said hello to the folks at Illinois and Minnesota. Felt September heat in Tempe, AZ.

 

Been to Manhattan, Lubbock, Austin, Stillwater and College Station. College Station was probably the best. Folks say "Howdy" when they see you. And they say "welcome."

 

 

.

 

Damn.. I want that job!!!

[In the Deed the Glory]

That was an awesome read. Thanks for posting.