Husker football puts tailgaters back in action

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The Nebraska football game against UTEP marked the start of a new season. With the Cornhuskers back in action, also comes the return of many traditions as fans make their way to Memorial Stadium.

On Saturday, hundreds of tailgates, both new and old, popped up around downtown Lincoln.

While kickoff was at 2:30 p.m., for many fans the gameday experience started long before that. For blocks around the stadium, fans came from across the state to set up tents, tables grills and more, forming a network of tailgates thousands of participants deep.

Many brought their own unique style of fandom to Lincoln.

“It’s a 1951 Fleetline deluxe car, that I have Huskered up,” said Doug Christie, tailgater. “I started in ’76, building it, and this is what it ended up being.”

All having earned the rights to their spots through many seasons under their belt.

One full lot located a ten-minute walk away from Memorial Stadium’s entrance, filled with its regulars seven game days a season. Everyone at the tailgate knows the drill, and it’s no cause for alarm when a few ambulances roll through. Likely, the only emergency vehicles in the city with Kenny Bell’s signature on its roof.

“It’s a 1992 fully wrapped ambulance,” said Doug Couran, tailgater. “Stores a lot of everything we need here.”

Though only some of the tailgaters remember the glory days of Husker football:

“We’ve had to adapt to a new style of wins and loses,” said Mark Stock, tailgater.

Most were optimistic about this year’s win total.

But no matter what happens in the stadium, the support will always be strong outside of it.

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