Saturday, April 19, 2008
LINCOLN -- More than 80,000 people piled into Memorial Stadium Saturday for Nebraska's 15th and final practice of the spring season. Yes, we're talking about practice, man. Practice.
With the all the hype associated with the first glimpse of the Bo Pelini-coached Cornhuskers, it was almost easy to forget that the Red-White spring "game" was -- and always has been -- a glorified scrimmage. Indeed, it may have been a little shocking for unsuspecting novices who shelled out in the neighborhood $100 for a ticket to see coaches on the field, reds and whites mixed together on special teams units and a few small pockets of empty bleachers on the north and south ends of the stadium for the 24-14 Red team victory.
But then realize that Saturday's proceedings weren't so much about a game or a scrimmage as much as it was an event. This was Nebraska fans, largely united again under the leadership of athletics director Tom Osborne, turning out to show their support and give a hurting program a collective hug.
"I thought it was a pretty special atmosphere out there," Pelini said. "Obviously, I want to thank the fans and everybody who came out today. That's something, obviously, I've never been a part of before and I don't know if any of these coaches have -- that kind of turnout and passion and enthusiasm for the spring game."
With the all the hype associated with the first glimpse of the Bo Pelini-coached Cornhuskers, it was almost easy to forget that the Red-White spring "game" was -- and always has been -- a glorified scrimmage. Indeed, it may have been a little shocking for unsuspecting novices who shelled out in the neighborhood $100 for a ticket to see coaches on the field, reds and whites mixed together on special teams units and a few small pockets of empty bleachers on the north and south ends of the stadium for the 24-14 Red team victory.
But then realize that Saturday's proceedings weren't so much about a game or a scrimmage as much as it was an event. This was Nebraska fans, largely united again under the leadership of athletics director Tom Osborne, turning out to show their support and give a hurting program a collective hug.
"I thought it was a pretty special atmosphere out there," Pelini said. "Obviously, I want to thank the fans and everybody who came out today. That's something, obviously, I've never been a part of before and I don't know if any of these coaches have -- that kind of turnout and passion and enthusiasm for the spring game."
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