My 2 Cents
1/5/09
Gator Bowl

Commentary by David Max

Going into the Gator Bowl game the media estimates that Clemson would have 60 per cent or more of the fans there as they "travel well" and it is a close location. My estimate is that there were more Nebraska fans in the stadium and in Jacksonville prior to the game. At the Husker Huddle Coach Osborne made the statement that the main reason Nebraska was selected instead of "some 9-3 teams" was the fact that we do travel so well. We proved it again even in this tough economic climate. The reception from the locals was very friendly and they exhibited true southern hospitality. Our New Years Eve event at the Jacksonville Elks Club was a big success and they treated us well. My wife and I had the opportunity after the game to spend a day in St. Augustine and a day at Amelia Island and would definitely consider the Gator Bowl and north Florida as a repeat visit destination.

The pre-game Husker Huddle was a sellout and I ran into a lot of people that have been to previous HuskerPedia events. Picture links are at the bottom of the page and some video will be posted soon. If you have pictures that you took at the game feel free to send them to me a bigredmax@yahoo.com and I will add them to the gallery.

The stadium is well designed except for their big screens at each end. The advertising around it is bigger than the screen and it is not as good as Huskervision. We were on the goal line on the Nebraska side and there were big holes on the Clemson side at both ends of the upper deck and several empty seats between the 30s. We definitely had more people there at the start of the game and even more when the second half started. Guess a lot of Clemson fans thought an 11 point half time lead was enough and headed home early. The Clemson fans were very friendly before and after the game and several stopped by to see Johnny's Heisman Trophy that we had propped up on the tailgate of one of the BBS member's truck that just happened to park next to us outside the stadium.

During the game a lot of fans stopped by to get autographs from Johnny and Tommie and we were in the next section away from Larry the Cable Guy's sky box. I ran into Alex Henerey's father on the way out and thanked him for sending his son to Nebraska. Alex's aunt was in our travel group. It was a bittersweet moment to watch Joe Ganz leave the field for the last time as a Husker. He was one of the last to leave and got a great ovation from the Husker fans that stuck around. Coach Pelini's acceptance speech of the trophy after the game was great. You could hear the emotion of appreciation in his voice and know that he fully understands how special this turnaround season is to Nebraska fans and the contribution that the players made all season long.

As far as the game is concerned it had some similarities to the '95 Orange Bowl against Miami. We made some mistakes early and came back from a two digit deficit to win. They made an error in judgement by throwing the ball after the play was over and we took advantage of it. We wore them down at the end and made some key sacks. Our defense won the game for us and Joe came through when he needed to. The chants of "Let's go Joe" will be another Husker memory for me. Suh and Steinkuhler had career games. I sure hope he doesn't change his mind about coming back next year.

If you could have scripted this season to end with a New Years Day bowl win and a 9 win season there would have been some that didn't think it was possible. The foundation for another "return to dominance" has been laid and I have rose colored glasses on for next season. See you all at the Spring Game.

Just my 2 cents. What about yours?

Links: New Years Eve pictures, Heisman pictures, Game pictures, Game page, Order the game DVD.

GO BIG RED!!!