He's a Nebraska fan living in Oklahoma.

He's friendly, knows his neighbors, lends a helping hand.

Pretty much a normal guy, says Nathan Bobert.

"Although they know there's something a little bit off," the 32-year-old Papillion native says.

For starters, there's the Husker flag he flies year-round outside of his suburban ranch near Oklahoma City.

And?

Oh, and the 30 gallons of red, white and black paint splashed across his front lawn (and onto his neighbor's).

Turf-friendly paint that spells out a 40-foot NEBRASKA in 5-foot letters.

And the Husker logo (14 feet by 14 1/2 feet).

And the salesman's pride and joy: Those Blackshirt bones (20 feet long, 14 feet deep).

Bobert spent 12 hours Wednesday with string, straight edge and measuring tape creating his Big Red masterpiece.

And another three Thursday, touching it up.

The painted profession of his love and loyalty started several years ago when he was messing with chalk on the driveway with his little girl.

The next year, he created a stencil for an 8-by-8-foot Husker logo in three colors in time for the Oklahoma matchup.

Last year, he re-created the logo, turning his green grass red as a backdrop.

This year's theme was Step It Up, Bobert says.

Which might explain why his doorbell rang at 2 a.m. Friday, letting him know someone out there appreciated his increased efforts.

"Some OU fans TP'd my yard."

Bobert cleaned up the mess and hit the road for Lincoln.

And the big game at Memorial Stadium.

Bobert hopes the team can step it up.

But the shrine stays, win or lose.

It will fade, says Bobert, unlike his passion for his team.

Which is red and white and black. And permanent.

Reach Cindy Lange-Kubick at 473-7218 or clangekubick@journalstar.com.