The Lincoln Experience

So I missed writing my "Day After Reflections" because I was on the way home from Lincoln. Big Head covered a lot of what I would've said anyways so no biggie. So instead I decided to post my weekly column that I write for the Bolivar Herald-Free Press.

But first I had a few observations I wanted to make that weren't included or made strongly enough in the column:

• No one hates the Huskers as much as I do but I've gotta tip my cap to their fans. 95 percent of my encounters with Husker fans have been positive ones. Sure there were a few assholes who made some immature gay jokes about our "Chase Daniel for Heisman" T-shirts. But I assume they were fresh out of Lincoln High School so I'm gonna assume they're not an accurate sample of what Nebraska fans are like. They seem like they genuinely hope you have a good time even though you're rooting against their team. If any of those fans are readers of this blog; thanks for the hospitality. I'll try to return it when you come to Columbia (emphasis on try). For more on my experience with the Husker faithful please refer to my roommate's story he wrote for KMOV.

• Lincoln is one weird town. I've been there for games twice (went in '06) and the downtown scene after midnight is downright bizarre. Nothing short of anarchy once the bars close at 1:00 am. Doesn't compare to Columbia's downtown scene at all. I definitely prefer Columbia but it was an interesting change of pace if nothing else.

• I mention it in the column but I need to reemphasize it: Oso Burrito on O Street is UNBELIEVABLE. I would trade our Chipotle in a heartbeat. 

• A couple Tigers were in attendance including T. Rucker (his brother Mike was honored during the game), Tony Palmer, Tony Temple and two-time Super Bowl champion Byron Chamberlain.

• Watching Husker fans file out of the stadium midway through the third quarter while all us Mizzou fans chanted "You can't stop us!" and "We can't hear you!" was easily one of the coolest moments of my life. I took that opportunity to rename Nebraska's Memorial Stadium: Faurot North. Never ever ever never thought I'd see the day. 

Now here's the column as it will appear this week in the BHFP (pick one up if you're passing through Bolivar):

History-making in Lincoln

It’s not very often you get to be a part of history. But I was on Saturday night. I was amongst the couple thousand Mizzou fans who personally witnessed the Tigers first victory in Lincoln, Neb. since 1978.

And it was a sight to behold.

After last year’s Nebraska game, I left the stadium feeling like that game would end up being my defining memory of going to games as a student.This one might have topped it.

It’s hard to beat the Lincoln atmosphere. It has one of the more interesting downtown areas I’ve ever seen. If you’re ever in the neighborhood I’d highly recommend Oso Burrito on O Street.

And as much as I hate the Huskers, their fans are great. They’re not immune to a little trash talking but most of it’s in good nature. 95 percent of the Huskers fans I encountered were willing to concede a level of respect for our team and wish us good luck.

But as hospitable as the fans were, the Nebraska players seemed to match in classlessness. After the game, Chase Daniel called the Huskers one of the dirtiest teams he’s ever played against and claimed a Husker player spat on him in the pregame warm-ups. Credit Chase for not naming the player because if he had there likely would have been an angry mob of people wearing black and gold waiting for said Husker after the game.

That along with the long history of Tiger futility against Nebraska made this one especially sweet. Every Mizzou fan has a story about Husker heartbreak. The first college football game I ever watched in its entirety was the infamous 1997 kicked-ball game. I remember crying after that one. Two years ago my roommates and I made our first pilgrimage to Lincoln after the Tigers got off to one of the best starts in school history. That also ended in disappointment.

But this victory ensured that the class of ’09—Chase Daniel’s class, William Moore’s class and my class—will graduate with a winning record against the Huskers. That hasn’t happened since the class of class of ’76 received their diplomas.

Last year was incredible. But a huge home game is a totally different beast than a huge road game. Throughout the day Saturday and into the night Mizzou fans were like a band of brothers who knew sticking together was essential for survival. And as much as I loved hearing the deafening roar of 70,000 Mizzou fans decked in gold, the progressive silence that swept through the Husker faithful as the Tigers kept piling on points might have been even more satisfying.

My favorite anecdote of the night came courtesy one of my roommates who had walked down near the sideline midway through the third quarter to get a closer look at the history that was being made. On his way down he encountered several Nebraska fans who were on their way home, deciding the fourth quarter wasn’t worth seeing.

Of course they were quick to try to dampen his enthusiasm by pointing to their National Championships and long history of superiority over Mizzou. That’s about the only defense any opposing fans have against Missouri fans at this point—the past.

But after trying to bring him back down to earth he overheard the same fan give this simple yet telling analysis of the Tigers:

“Damn they’re good.”