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Husker Tailgate: Bye week healing and stocking up!

By Kelli Anne

Oct 1, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Trey Foster (42) and quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr (4) kneel as wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) gets medical attention during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 31-16. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Trey Foster (42) and quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr (4) kneel as wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) gets medical attention during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 31-16. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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At the theater it’s called an intermission, in sports there are time outs, Ross and Rachel called it “a break”, in college football there is the bye week.  What does one do during a bye week?

What does one do during a bye week? Husker Tailgaters take time to fix what might be broken, restock supplies, and rest up. A month of tailgating can take a toll on the body too. However, it’s nothing compared to the injuries, bumps and bruises that happened to our beloved players.

Nebraska is undefeated which feels great. It didn’t come without some cost however. Currently OL Tanner Farmer is nursing a tender ankle and senior WR Alonzo Moore is trying to get his sore shoulder better. The recent game against Illinois saw Devine Ozigbo go out with an ankle injury, Cethan Carter with what’s being called an elbow issue, and Jordan Westerkamp hurt his back later in the game after taking a knee to the kidney area. Don’t forget that Jerald Foster is also out for the season due to a torn MCL in his knee.

Injuries are a variable that can make or break a football game and season. The “next man up” theory is tested often in college football. Cornhuskers are back on October 15th against Indiana. They have their fair share of sidelining injuries as well. RB Cole Gest is questionable against Ohio State this week, as are DL Jacob Robinson (concussion), and OL Dan Feeny (concussion).  OL Dimitiric Camiel is out indefinitely with a back injury. Adding insult to injury, K Aaron Del Grosso is also questionable for Saturday, but that’s due to “legal problems.” I guess when it rains it pours in Indiana.

Sep 24, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; The Indiana Hoosiers logo sewn into a band members uniform before the game against Wake Forest at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; The Indiana Hoosiers logo sewn into a band members uniform before the game against Wake Forest at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

Looking further ahead at Purdue, they currently have only 4 players in sick bay this week. RB D J Knox is out for the year with an ACL tear. The next RB on the roster, Markell Jones, injured his shoulder but is listed as questionable for their game against Illinois.

The Badgers injury list is as long as an Ihop menu and should come with it’s own bookmark. Four players are out for the season, six are listed as questionable against Michigan this week, and two others are expected to miss 2-4, and 4-6 weeks of the season. OL, OG, K, WR and RB on the offense, and 2 LBs and a CB on the defense. It’s more a matter of “who’s left” rather than the next man up. Fortunately for them, Wisconsin has a bye week like Big Red.

Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of a cheerleader megaphone at TCF Bank Stadium before a game between the Oregon State Beavers and Minnesota Golden Gophers. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of a cheerleader megaphone at TCF Bank Stadium before a game between the Oregon State Beavers and Minnesota Golden Gophers. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Probably the only team with a longer “injury” list in the Big Ten is Minnesota. They have 6 players “out indefinitely,” or “for the season.” They have 7 listed as questionable against Iowa on Saturday. Looking at the X’s and O’s, it’s very bad news defensively for the Gophers as 12 out of the 14 play on defense. (3 DBs, 3 LBs, 3 CBs, a DE, a DL, and a Safety). Minnesota already had their bye week September 17th so it’s not going to get any easier for the Golden Gophers. Huskers face them November 12 in what I suspect will be a chilly night game at 6:30. At least we know they travel well with their cold weather camo gear.

If you’re looking to refresh on the Tailgate side, it’s a great time to search the internet for new recipes and test them out on friends and relatives. Double check your gear for broken latches on coolers, bent canopy poles and maybe catch some sales on beverages at the grocery store. I highly recommend igloo.com for simple cooler fixes. I even keep a first aid kit of latches, drain plugs and lid straps for emergencies. A draining cooler because of a leaking plug in the back of your Jeep makes for a HUGE mess when one returns home. I’ve used pool noodles to stabilize canopy legs that get tweaked by the wind or usage. They also work great to keep the legs from scratching other vehicles. Just cut down the side of the noodle (the ones with the hole in the center) and slide them on the legs!

nebraska cornhuskers
The tailgate set up for all your Hosting needs /

When it comes to restocking Husker supplies, fortunately the most common color for Solo cups is Red. However, other places like Party City sell lots of other tailgate items in your teams’ colors.

Next: Big Ten Power Rankings Heading Into Week 6

Everything from plates and silverware, to tablecloths and candy is available in red. We’re only 5 weeks into the 13 week season so take a deep breath, rest up and keep planning because the week will fly by fast. Hopefully Nebraska trainers will get business handled for the players. In the meantime, GO BIG RED!

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