HUSKER UP: Iowa State (Or: Why I Love Road Games)

October 17, 2008 by Darren K. Carlson

As the Huskers venture down the road to Iowa State, I’m musing on what a wonderful experience road games are. Nothing can “Husker Up� a person like than pitching in with the brave minority in a crowd full of hostiles. And, it just feels like a more sportsmanlike topic than discussing how much Iowa State sucks. Instead it’s time to HUSKER UP, road trip style.

Not The Right Time for Smack Talk…Right?
I could say a bunch of crass things about ISU in this post, like how NU owns the series or how their new uniforms are total USC rip offs (it’s not even subtle!). Or, I could take a few shots at NU’s own Barney Cotton for his statements about ISU being the “real big red� when he was a coach there. But, since NU is 3-3 and Cotton is back in Scarlet and Cream, I don’t think it is the time to run my mouth.

I could talk about how ISU has almost no good football history, or how their stadium is named after one of the most tragic figures in college football, Jack Trice. I could call their efforts to get better futile because they have a small recruiting base, fan base, and money base. But, that would be downright unsportsmanlike. I could talk about how Ames makes Lincoln almost look cosmopolitan. But, that would be rude. Besides, I rather think Coach Gene Chizik may get the ‘clones on the right track. And, I know some good people who went to ISU.

So, I’d rather talk about how awesome road games are.

Nothing Else Like It
I love Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Going there to watch a game is one of the best experiences in sports. That’s not an exaggeration. But, honestly, I think I enjoy going to road games even more. There is nothing else like it, probably because the experience is different every time.

The travel is always fun, or at least interesting. Flights, long drives, short trips – with all of them, you get to take on the persona of a traveler or even a tourist…take in new sights, find new game day customs, and find kinship others traveling for the same purpose. I’ve slept everywhere from 4-star hotels to total dumps, and even in a car or two. It always creates a story.

Then there is the rush of being in hostile territory. You are one of just a few hearty souls willing to lend your effort to the Huskers as they try to beat both their opponent and their environment. If NU loses, you feel it more (and often hear it from people). But, when they win, it can be doubly sweet. The Huskers need to snap a 5-game road losing streak this week. So, that’s another reason this game is so important.

Oh, and did I mention that my crew and I are going to this week’s game in Ames?

I know many BRN readers live outside the state of Nebraska. So, almost every game is a road game for many of you. Share some of your favorite road trips and road game stories in the comments if you like.

AV Club Presents – The Ultimate Road Trip Mobile
Sometimes how you get to the game matters a lot. For the most part, people drive their car. Some will rent a nice vehicle. Others have a great experience buying a place on a party bus heading to a big game.

But it is safe to say that nobody is having as much time getting to the game as the people who drive the Big Red “Fanbulance�…check it out.

It reminds me of the movie “Cannonball Run�, which was about race across America. The main characters used an ambulance to avoid getting pulled over. Hmm, maybe the fanbulance drivers can just click on the lights and sirens when they are stuck in game day traffic.

Cue the Band
One other fun part of going on the road is finding seats that are right near the scaled back Husker pep band that travels to road games. High fiving the horn section after a touchdown is a blast…

Okay hit it, guys...

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