Huskers Lay Claim To The North: Seniors Come To Play In Victory Over Colorado

Like so many people around the country, I am traveling to the in-laws this week.  Lucky for me, I am in central Nebraska and I will not miss any of the local or national coverage.  They cover everything you could imagine about the Huskers in this part of the country. Families of senior players are interviewed, as are former coaches, neighbors, friends and shopkeepers. Everyone knows their hometown hero who made it on the team.    

Sometimes you may hear an outsider say that Husker football is all they have, watching the local news this morning I can see why. Let’s be honest, there is no coverage of anything else. This is the culture of Nebraska: in the world we live in today, is that such a bad thing? I think not.

The game has started and the first chance for the officials to review a play. Clearly not a catch, but the play continues and Colorado gets the 'fumble' and runs it the other way. The review gives the ball back to the Huskers, who run one more play and punt.  Everyone watching the game in the house is satisfied with the result of the call, but the Huskers should have scored.

The sideline reporter tries to talk over the videoboard's introduction to the Blackshirts.  Programming directors should know that this is the wrong time to do this. All I can hear is the crowd and see the video in the background. Her words are quickly forgotten, if ever heard at all. She is pretty, but the hits on the board are of more interest to me right now. 

What is happening in the game? I thought a fair catch meant that you don’t hit the person catching the ball. I must be wrong. Personal foul, face mask on Colorado. Could it be that they got it right, for once? The crowd cheers mockingly. 

Nebraska's drive continues into the second quarter and Burkhead has taken the team on his shoulders and punishes Colorado on his way into the end zone. 10-0 Huskers.

A call comes in from the family members at the game, they have been tailgating. This combined with the background noise makes for a poor phone call. What could be worse?  It's announced that leftovers are being prepared for everyone. I can’t wait. Anybody for pizza?

A holding penalty on the Huskers keeps the drive alive for the Buffaloes. After a trick play and a good run, Colorado is deep in Husker territory. The Blackshirts hold for a field goal. 10-3 Nebraska.

Holding on the kickoff return, the crowd is not happy until the next play, when Helu runs for a first down. The play with Reed is awesome, gaining just enough for the first down but fought for every yard, dragging the Colorado player for five yards. The drive stalls on penalties, and the punt pins the Buffaloes inside the 10. It is time to eat leftover turkey sandwiches. Everyone wants to pass, but we all eat anyway. At least that way we know that the turkey is gone.

Rex Burkhead’s touchdown pass to Kinne effectively ends the half, and Nebraska is up 17-3.

Pumpkin and French silk pies are being distributed here at the house, everyone hopes the pie will be gone before it is their turn. There is enough for everyone, bellies are full.

The best secondary in the country strikes as Gomes takes the ball away! This is a perfect time to have a representative from Colorado in the announcer’s booth. Kinne scores another touchdown. Everyone agrees that the flag against Colorado for pass interference was a bad call. Too bad it didn't matter.

Hagg catches the defection and runs it back to the four-yard line, as the game is about to turn into a blowout. Tyler Reed makes the catch from Burkhead. It's an awesome play but we are happier with the view of the nation-leading totals of Husker Academic All-Americans. We are more proud of this than anything else associated with the athletic department. With the possible exception of Suh, who is interviewed next on the sidelines.

The personal foul on the end of the third down play results in the continuation of the drive by Colorado and a touchdown. I didn’t see the foul and it never sees a replay, what did Crick do to deserve the penalty? Nebraska is up 31-10.

After all the work he has done as a Husker, receiver Reed is having an awesome day, as he catches another touchdown to make it 38-10. We have a passing attack?

Hagg is hit in the back on a play and is down. Why is that not an illegal block in the back? No call. The Huskers get sloppy, and the result is a touchdown for Colorado and a 38-17 score.

A flag is thrown on the kickoff, everyone is livid until the personal foul is called on Colorado. They all settle down until Gomes pick up the fumble and runs it back to the 3.  Another great play, but it seems like Gomes can’t make it into the end zone. No problem, the Huskers score quickly and the house erupts again as it's 45-17.

Seniors everywhere are making great plays. Great work, seniors. Wow, there is still 13 minutes left in the game.

Prince, another senior, makes an awesome play. Look for him in the NFL. We get the ball back with 11:11 left. 

You will eat well in central Nebraska, as evident when dinner is announced at the end of the game. This is a ploy to make sure everyone stays for dinner. Just when the game gets out of reach, the announcement is made. The Huskers run, run, run the ball to kill the clock.

We have the Big 12 North, bring on the South champion.  Let's eat!