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USC fans flood into Lincoln

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BY KENDRA WALTKE / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Sep 14, 2007 - 10:44:43 pm CDT

A new sea washed onto shore in Lincoln early Friday.

A tide like Burgundy wine.

Cardinal red.

Story Photo
USC fans Chris Leon (from left), Ernesto Leon (pushing Joaquin, 15 months), and Mercedes Leon pass another pair of USC fans on P Street on Friday afternoon. Chris and her husband Edward came from Iowa to watch the game with Ernesto and Mercedes, of Colorado. (Laura Meerkatz)

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Ferrell, other celebs slated to attend NU-USC
Game-day advice

It’s hard to say what could happen if the Huskers beat the Trojans Saturday night.

OK, it’s not.

A win would surely cause utter pandemonium in downtown Lincoln.

But even if - and we do say if - a more somber crowd exits Memorial Stadium sometime after 10 o’clock Saturday, traffic officers’ message to drivers is the same:

* Be patient.

* Linger a little longer in Lincoln - but don’t celebrate or console yourself with too many brews.

Here’s some other game-day advice from police:

* On campus

If you’re parking on campus at a reserved spot, make sure your hangtag is visible or your pass is handy, said University Police Sgt. Koan Nissen.

Check out campus maps in advance to see where you’re headed.

Watch carefully. Officers will be at key intersections to guide pedestrians and cars.Have your pass ready. Too often, Nissen said, “as they approach the parking areas, drivers find themselves scrambling to find a pass in the console as the officers are trying to wave them on by.”

It’s a night game so post-game visibility could be a little more limited. Officers will wear reflective gear and carry flashlights with orange cones.

* Downtown

“We might have an influx of a few more people who aren’t going to the game but are coming to downtown,” said Lincoln Police Sgt. Shannon Karl, who supervises traffic detail for home football games.

After the game, she urged fans to give traffic some time to thin out before hitting the road.

“I know it’s a late game, but if you stay in your car even another 10, 15, 20 minutes it will help,” Karl said.

Traffic will depend in part on how the game goes.

If it’s a blowout, one way or another, the crowd will leave gradually and traffic will be more spread out. If it’s a tight game, and fans stay until the final whistle, traffic will be more congested.

Karl said she is no more concerned about traffic for this game than others, but conceded that the importance of the game could make a difference.

“We haven’t beat a No. 1 team in awhile. You can’t predict what will happen, in any case.”

* Out-of-towners

“Come to Lincoln and enjoy the festivities before the game,” said Sgt. Mike Tobey of the Nebraska State Patrol.

A steady flow of drivers coming into Lincoln throughout the day will prevent a crush.

As usual, more troopers will be on duty along Interstate 80 and all major roads into Lincoln.

As in Cardinal and Gold.

Plenty of good ol’ Big Red could, of course, be seen along downtown sidewalks.

But while most Husker fans still toiled away Friday, hidden within cubicles and behind counters, a sea of Southern Cal color swelled toward high tide in the Capital City.

“It’s like Los Angeles, transported,” one man yelled as he walked by three generations of USC fans.

“Welcome to Nebraska!” he greeted them. “Good luck tomorrow!”

USC alum Edward Leon, with wife, Chris, and 15-month-old son, Joaquin, smiled back.

Little Joaquin was clad head to toe in Trojan tones. His grandparents, Ernesto and Mercedes Leon of Denver, were, too.

Together, they were a walking wall of cardinal and gold.

“Everybody’s been really nice,” said Chris Leon, “We asked a friend, “Do you think we can go on campus dressed like this? He said it’s not a hostile environment.”

They were staying at The Cornhusker, where some of the California folks were dressed in flip flops and shorts.

USC in The Cornhusker?

That’s where the USC alumni association has its headquarters, Edward  Leon said, laughing.

But there were signs the tide would soon turn.

Over at the Husker Headquarters store, Shawn Reed, 39, was wearing a green Cal-Poly shirt.

Yet his arms were full of Husker red and he was here to cheer NU.

“My parents and family were raised here. Dawes County,” he said.

He’d already bought a Husker volleyball shirt and cheerleading outfit for his daughters back in San Luis Obispo, along with new shirts.

He was staying at Embassy Suites.

“I got the last two rooms they had on Feb. 2,” Reed said. “I thought that was early enough.”

The Husker Athletic Ticket Office said 4,000 tickets were provided to USC for tonight’s game.

Tickets sold elsewhere no doubt would account for even more Trojan faithful walking around Lincoln.

In a few places, you could even spot cardinal and red walking together.

That was true for longtime friends — or is it frenemies? — John Sekutera, 47, who went to UNL but now lives in San Clemente, Calif., and Dan Ting, 50, who went to USC and lives in Dallas.

They’re true to their schools.

“We waited to see our teams play for 25 years,” Ting said, “Last year was the big event; we met up and saw them at the Coliseum.”

Of course, they had to go again — even if Sekutera had to take a plane from California loaded with USC fans, including the pep band.

“I’m a stranger in my own country,” the Husker fan joked, shopping amid Trojan fans.

He was backed up by nearby shopper Terry Love, 46, who hails from Pennsylvania and was looking for red. “I’m here for the Huskers, too,” he offered. “I’ve been a Husker fan all my life.”

He saw the sea of red at Memorial Stadium for the first time a few years back. It was everything he expected. He came without a ticket this time, but if he can’t pick one up, he said he’d be happy watching the game at Big Red Keno.

“It’s gonna be a good game no matter what,” Love said.

A lone hawker standing on a downtown corner at noon Friday wouldn’t give his name or the asking price for his tickets.

He hadn’t sold one yet, he said.

But business was good at the From Nebraska store.

“USC fans are fantastic,” said manager Julie Zielinski.

“We’ve had more USC fans today than Husker fans. They all came in earlier, so they’ve been out enjoying the Haymarket. They appear to be having a great time.”

She said they’ve been buying Nebraska souvenirs.

“I can’t talk them into Husker sweatshirts yet. I tell them it’s going to be chilly at the game but they’re not interested,” Zielinski said.

“They keep telling me — it’s cardinal, not red.”

Reach Kendra Waltke at 473-7303 or kwaltke@journalstar.com.


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Eric wrote on September 14, 2007 2:04 pm:
" Nebraska has the best fans in the WORLD! "

 Tom wrote on September 14, 2007 2:28 pm:
" We will see how nice they are when Nebraska gets blown out of the water Saturday! I am sure they will still be nice. They'll be too depressed to be anything else! "

 Douglas wrote on September 14, 2007 2:43 pm:
" Don't you just love a good college game and the hype? Mutual respect is a really good thing and I miss the opportunity we had every year with Oklahoma. Oklahoma fans always treat a Husker supporter like a guest as has every place I visited except one. Colorado is definitely another matter. Their fans have a history of disrespect for other fans and they will struggle to get my respect in a lifetime. I visted Boulder for an NU game once and it was an experience like no other. I will never go back for a sporting event. Go NU and Good Luck for USC. It will be a fun game no matter the outcome. There is no shame in losing to a quality team with quality fans. "

 GBR wrote on September 14, 2007 3:57 pm:
" Tom, It sounds like you are not from Nebraska. There may be a few Husker fans not so happy if we don't win but the majority of us will treat all USC fans with kindness and respect with a w or l as long as they do the same. Come to the heartland once and experience true kindness. "

 to tom wrote on September 14, 2007 4:01 pm:
" If NU should lose, the fans will still treat USC's fans well. A statement like yours makes it very obvious you are clueless about how things are done around here. We respect the game, we are passionate about our team and yet at the end of the day, we know it is a game and we appreciate the efforts of those that work so hard to entertain us on the football field and try to honor those efforts by showing good sportsmanship ourselves. "

 Greg wrote on September 14, 2007 4:14 pm:
" I'm hoping to see USC alum Will Ferrell on 'O' Street tonight. Rumor has it, that he's in Lincoln as we speak. In fact, I know of several Lincolnites who plan to do some "Will Ferrell hunting" tonight. "

 Good Weather wrote on September 14, 2007 4:20 pm:
" They won't go home complaining about Nebraska weather, that's for sure. Point spread is about +9 USC and 50 for the overs. Anyone could win, and it'll be a good game regardless. "

 Tex wrote on September 14, 2007 4:25 pm:
" My first game in Lincoln was in 1998 when Texas broke the Husker's 47 game win streak. The fans treated me with respect before, during and after the game. I only wish Texas fans could be like the Husker fans. They are the best in college football. "

 to Douglas wrote on September 14, 2007 4:32 pm:
" I completely agree about Colorado's fans but don't let that keep you from going back to cheer for NU, that's exactly what they want. While my last visit to Colorado for a Husker game started as one of my worst college football experiences due to their fans it was worth it to watch their entire spoiled brat student section get tossed from the game while the Huskers embarassed them at home. "

 Herb wrote on September 14, 2007 5:14 pm:
" When USC blows Nebraska by at least 10 or more points the sober UN fans may remain civil but all the drunk cowboys will turn into monsters. "

 Bob wrote on September 14, 2007 6:17 pm:
" It is just a game. Been a Husker forever, and I have never been rude to an opposing fan. Don't see the point in it. I may be disappointed in an outcome, but that is no reason to be rude. Besides, we'll get 'em next time! :) "

 shan wrote on September 14, 2007 8:00 pm:
" Chilly weather, two great college football teams, and the best Fans in the country! Welcome to Lincoln USC fans!! Sat will be one heck of a day for a FOOTBALL!!! GOOO HUSKERS!! "

 Jason wrote on September 14, 2007 8:34 pm:
" I just got back from grabbing a bite, and some drunkard in a Husker jersey told my wife a I that we we're stupidmotherfers for living in Southern California. Evidently, not all Husker fans are polite. "

 Nancy wrote on September 14, 2007 9:10 pm:
" Most people do not "get it" that Huskers fans are now all over the world. Call it the Nebraska "brain-drain" or whatever. But we are loyal fans to our teams and state where ever we are! Best Wishes to USC and Thank-You to the USC fans who are visiting Lincoln. Go Huskers! "

 to Jason wrote on September 14, 2007 9:10 pm:
" To Jason... sorry for your bad experience, but trust me, Nebraska fans are loyal and respectful to both their team and the visiting team and the fans. Please don't let one "rotten apple" ruin your time here! Go Huskers! It's going to be a great game! "

 Michael Husker wrote on September 14, 2007 9:41 pm:
" Nebraska treats visiting fans like no other place in the country. My nightmare game was at Missouri...you know the one, when Davidson caught the ball after it was kicked in overtime...their fans were so rude, one even trying to pick a fight with my sister-in-law who is the most docile person in the world. We were just trying to get out of there alive, did absolutely nothing to provoke anyone around us. I will never go back to Columbia for another game. I have also heard the horror stories on Colorado, but K-State's fans can be pretty bad too. If I ever went to either of those places, I would rent a car to do it, so my car wouldn't get jumped on or keyed. You should not have to do that. I hope the USC fans will go back to California and say they had a great time, maybe some of their friends will come the next time they get a chance...but I don't want them to move out here with all their liberal views that cause higher taxes...lol!! Go Huskers.... Huskers 31 USC 27 "

 Jeremy wrote on September 14, 2007 10:37 pm:
" I agree with the Missouri statement. Those were the worst fans I have ever dealt with. And to make it worse, we lost that game. But this year I have plans to go back because I love ruining there day by filling half their stands with Husker fans! "

 to Jason--- wrote on September 14, 2007 10:56 pm:
" Huh, wonder where that USC guy found a Husker jersey? "

 Don't fool yourselves wrote on September 14, 2007 11:20 pm:
" There are numerous great fans and a bunch of lousy fans in most cities. Nebraska has several of the ones that embarrass the Husker faithful. Most of these problems worsen when the jerks are drunk. They just need to do more at the stadiums to control this and there will be fewer problems wherever the game is played. But in the past a large number of Nebraska fans were sulkers that were hard to be around after losing. They were too used to winning. These were the ones you used to hear call for T.O.'s resignation cause he couldn't win the big one. I think a few bad years along with a losing season has brought most of these fans back to Earth, so they appreciate the team more, win or lose. By the way, I moved back here from Colorado 19 years ago after being in Colorado for less than 3 years. Most Coloradans outside of Boulder could care less about the Buffs, they have a real team in Denver to cheer on. One other note of interest - I was treated rudely many times because of the plates I had on my car the first few weeks I was here. And that was after the Huskers had just one loss to the Buffs in almost 20 years. Now there were some poor sports. Those days were almost 20 years ago. All fans need to get over those bad experiences, here and in Boulder. The real story is going to be if USC buys a win here in Lincoln like Nebraska did at Notre Dame in 2000. Seems like the big money coming in from California is changing the seats from Scarlett to Cardinal. If it is a close game, was there a 12th man available? And whose side was he on? "

 Amanda wrote on September 14, 2007 11:50 pm:
" Even though I have to work good part is I know our radio will have the game b/c there's 5 guys and the one manager loves football so no worries. Just hope we win b/c that'd be soooooo great to beat the #1 team "

 Sorry Jason wrote on September 15, 2007 12:41 am:
" That's a rotten experience to have, and I'm sorry some moron did that to you. That's not a good expression of Husker pride at all! "

 Personally... wrote on September 15, 2007 12:50 am:
" I'd love to see a few liberals move to Nebraska and open some people's eyes around here! (However, I wouldn't blame them for not if people aren't tolerant of different view points.) Go Big Red! Enjoy your stay out-of-staters! "

 bakblast wrote on September 15, 2007 1:31 am:
" It's scarlet not cardinal. And I got SCARLET FEVER! "

 Husker in Buffalo Territory wrote on September 15, 2007 4:40 am:
" Y'all are right. CU fans are not very sportsman like! I LOVE living in Denver, but when I've gone out on job interviews, I've walked into some hostile environments just because I'm from Lincoln. In fact, I had a contract job where I was harassed so much by a co-worker who was CU alum(keep in mind that I did not flaunt the fact that I am a Husker, she was told by someone that I was a fan), that HR had to get involved and she almost lost her job over it. It was so strange to me that any fans would act that way, especially coming from a place where we treat the opposing team with respect. GBR(Go Big Red)! "

 HuskerKris wrote on September 15, 2007 6:16 am:
" Like my Micheal, my worst experience was the 97 Missouri game. I am docile girl and I got sucker punched by a college guy that I had no words with, no dealings, no nothing, just bam and then he called be a few choice words. That's why when several years later when football player (Kellan Houstan ?) punched that fan that was in his face, I kinda understood why. And long live college football, I love it all. "

 pamela wrote on September 15, 2007 7:15 am:
" no, not all husker fans are polite, and if the huskers lose, wow, stay out of their way, its called sometimey fans. i live here, but am not a husker fan, and have seen some rude fans. sorry all you wonderful epoople from california, that you have to see the red necks of this town. we are not all that ignorant. "

 Welcome to Lincoln! wrote on September 15, 2007 10:43 am:
" You'll have a good time and the fans will, for the most part, be quite friendly. Of course, in my former state that has half the taxes and gave everything they had to fixed income retirees and kept them and loved them and they even extended early bird specials at all of their restaurants 'til past 6:00...that state had the best fans! Enjoy Lincoln because deep inside I think there is no place like Nebraska!! (well, except for my former state...) "

 lisa wrote on September 15, 2007 11:26 am:
" hmmm, well, just to point out one thing, there ARE liberals that already DO live in Nebraska. But what does that have to do with football fans?? I think that the Nebraska has historically had great fans, but I think that kindness and good behavior has gone out the window all over the country, Lincoln included. I remember as a kid 20 years ago going to games both here and away, and things have definately degraded. Even at my kid's high school games! "

 Okie wrote on September 15, 2007 11:37 am:
" I agree with you about the Okies. They are wonderful, friendly people. "

 T wrote on September 15, 2007 12:28 pm:
" I haven't heard of anyone's "bad time" when they went to Cal last year, so lets show the same. Remember we are the greatest fans in the nation. Go big red. "

 Lynn wrote on September 15, 2007 2:00 pm:
" The majority of Nebraskan's are "nice" people no matter what happens... especially compared to people from California. "

 For USC and NEbraska wrote on September 15, 2007 2:50 pm:
" I graduated from UNL, my daughter attends USC and she and her pals will be at my house in San Diego to watch it. Its easy. No matter who scores I will cheer. No matter who wins I will be happy. Come to think of it, isn't that what being a fan is about? "

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