Lincoln abuzz with big-game feel

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Interesting that Bo's older brother John is relocating to Lincoln to start a new job. The Pelini clan is growing in Nebraska. Bo also has another older brother Vince whose son Mark is a current NU walk-on from the 2010 class.

LINCOLN — John Pelini threw his first big bash Friday night in Lincoln.
Five hundred people. Six hundred pounds of smoked Texas brisket. A helicopter. And plenty of red.

Bo's big brother has 28 years in food service. He owned two restaurants in Ohio. He knows the best way to make it in this business is to make it fun. He also knows every party needs a theme.

John was still in Ohio 17 days ago, when Wilderness Ridge Golf Course hired him as its new food and beverage director. That night, he got an idea for a festive Friday outside the clubhouse.

The theme: “Eat Bevo!”

Pelini even put up a target on the driving range — pay $1 for a chance to fire a golf ball at the Bevo sign.

All over Lincoln on Friday, big-game preparations began early for Nebraska's nemesis. Texas visits Memorial Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Saturday to face the undefeated Huskers in a meeting as anticipated as any here in the past decade.

Outside the stadium at 4 p.m., 30 students sprawled across shaded concrete. Their sleeping bags assured them a spot in the front row when the Gate 24 door opens Saturday afternoon.

Four students actually camped out Thursday night, too. Two nights in the cold? Why?

“Redemption,” said Brian Furby, a sophomore from Papillion.

Texas has rankled Nebraska fans since the Big 12 began in 1996. Eight of nine meetings ended with Longhorn wins, including last year's Big 12 title game, when the game clock momentarily elapsed before officials added a second and the Longhorns kicked a game-winning field goal.

At Buffalo Wild Wings on P Street, three Pennsylvanians discussed that game — and other Texas heartbreakers over beers.

They've been Nebraska fans more than 20 years, but they haven't attended a home game since the Longhorns stomped on Husker souls in 2006.

“The walk across the (10th Street) bridge in '06 was one of the longest walks of my life,” said Jeff Fadrowski.

“We've been looking forward to this all year,” said his buddy, Steve Rodolff.

Two blocks away, at the Nebraska Bookstore, UNL freshman Kirstin Nervig examined merchandise. Her boyfriend is — gasp! — a Texas fan, and they made a bet.

If Nebraska wins, he has to wear red. If Texas wins, well, she's not worried about that.

Nervig scoured the racks and made her pick. On the front of the T-shirt: “Corn v. Cattle, the last rodeo.” On the back: “You're ugly! And your mama dresses you in burnt orange!”

Down the street, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln city campus stood peaceful, the signs of a warm autumn afternoon all around as students mingled amid no signs of Texas.

Larry Jacobson hopes it's the calm before the storm.

Jacobson, a former All-America defensive tackle at Nebraska, celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Huskers' 1970 national championship Friday night with a few dozen ex-teammates at the Wick Alumni Center.

And if you thought Nebraska's acrimony for Texas began with the Big 12, Jacobson reminds you of 1970. That's when Texas finished unbeaten in the regular season and held the No. 1 ranking in the final United Press International poll, determined before the bowl season.

The Longhorns then lost to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, as Nebraska beat Louisiana State in the Orange Bowl to finish 11-0-1 and No. 1 in the Associated Press rankings.

NU and UT split the national championship.

“I guess they got rings, too,” Jacobson said. “But theirs are probably little pinky rings. We got big ones.”

As the 1970 Huskers dined, 750 fans gathered outside for the Nebraska Alumni Association's Football Friday event, a staple on the eve of home games. A father and son from Texas stumbled upon the festivities. They were greeted with open arms.

Jeff Kinney, star tailback on the 1970-71 teams, grabbed the mic and predicted a comfortable Husker victory.

The audience roared its approval, seeming more eager for kickoff by the minute. The excitement of this weekend began to build long ago.

“I don't care if we win by one point or five touchdowns,” Jacobson said. “As long as it hurts.”

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Boy, how I miss game days in Lincoln. Going down town and all the stores either had the radios going or the TV, if it was televised. Red every where, aaahhhh :)

GBR!!!

 
I ate at Buzzard Billy's last night and wasn't sure if the game had already started. At least 80% of the patrons and people walking around in the haymarket were wearing red or husker apparel and the atmosphere was all game day. It's going to be crazy today!

 
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