Huskers' first three games to be pay-per-view
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BY BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star
The Husker football season will start under the lights and, if without a ticket, $30 will let you watch the beginning of a new era from the comfort of your couch.
Nebraska’s first three games of the upcoming season will be broadcast on pay-per-view, it was announced Friday.
The Aug. 30 home opener against Western Michigan is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff, while the following week’s game against San Jose State is set for 11:30 a.m.
As much excitement as there is around here to see what new Husker head coach Bo Pelini can do, television networks passed on showing any of Nebraska’s first three games for the first time since 1989.
After finding that out, NU officials quickly started the process of working out pay-per-view deals through Fox Sports Net.
“The reason why is we want as many fans as possible to view the first three games,” said Marc Boehm, NU’s executive associate athletic director. “We know not everyone can fit into Memorial Stadium.”
Opening foe Western Michigan, a Mid-American Conference team, brings back an experienced bunch. The team went 5-7 last year but did knock off Iowa in Iowa City. Early oddsmaker projections have NU as a 14-point favorite for the game.
Boehm said Husker officials felt it best that the first game take place at night, allowing fans to enjoy a day’s worth of the carnival atmosphere that preludes a game in Lincoln.
“Because of the new era with Bo ... we really are looking to have a lot of festivities beforehand,” Boehm said. “Plus, you have to look at the weather being hot for a game at that time in the year.”
As for the San Jose State game kicking off so early?
When it comes to setting kickoff times for games telecast on pay-per-view, options are limited to starting at 11:30 or 6.
“For the second game, we didn’t want to go back to back with night games knowing those individuals coming in from western Nebraska. (Night games) can be tough on them,” Boehm said. “We wanted to equate with what different audiences were dealing with.”
A decision has not been made on the start time of NU’s third game, a Sept. 13 meeting against New Mexico State.
Boehm said Nebraska is waiting to see when television officials choose to broadcast the Sept. 27 Virginia Tech game before setting a time for that third contest.
“We’ve been given a pretty strong reception that (the Virginia Tech game) will be on national TV, and if not, then regional,” Boehm said.
Boehm is hopeful the television details of the Virginia Tech game will come in short time, though ABC/ESPN does have the option of waiting until two weeks before a game to make a decision.
As for the pay-per-view games, suggested retail price for residential purchase of each one is $29.95.
Additional information about how to purchase the telecast, including a list of participating cable systems and satellite providers, will soon be coming. Further details will be posted on Huskers.com and FoxSports.com (search: Nebraska pay-per-view) as they become available.
In a statement, NU athletic director Tom Osborne said: “We wanted to announce our plans for these first three games as early as possible so our fans can start making plans for the beginning of the season.”
Briefly
Sam Keller, Nebraska’s starting quarterback through nine games last season, has been released by the Oakland Raiders.
Reach Brian Christopherson at 473-7439 or bchristopherson@journalstar.com.
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