Husker Football Tailgate: Week 9 – Purdue

So the first question is whether Tommy Armstrong will play on Saturday. I don’t know. Will the Huskers beat a team they should demolish? I certainly hope so but with Ryker Fyfe being pretty much untested, it’s still a fair question. No official word on if he’s starting. Are you ready for Daylight Savings Time? Doesn’t matter, it will still happen this weekend. But it’s also Halloween so bring on the treats!

It’s an early Cornhusker start at 11 on ESPNU against the Purdue Boilermakers. The mascot for the West Lafayette team is a locomotive. Kind of fitting as it seems like the Huskers have been run over by the last minute loss train this year. I heard one analyst say that the stadium will be half empty for the game. I can’t even imagine. I hate mornings but I drag my sorry self out of bed at o’dark thirty to get to the tailgate on early gamedays.

Need to know what Purdue is all about, get the breakdown on Purdue’s offense here.

Cut up fruit for a tailgate is an easy and healthy alternative to chips and dip (photo Kelli Anne)

Now for serious questions like “what’s cooking?” I’m going to pregame this week with a crustless quiche in an attempt to cut some of the carbs out of the day. (saving that for candy later) It’s easy to make and if there are any leftovers, it’s quick and simple to reheat. Toss in some cinnamon rolls or fruit (not so much low carb) on the side and you’re all set.

Husker Gameday Quiche

1/2 C chopped Vidalia onion

1/2 C chopped ham

6 large eggs

1/4 C heavy cream

1/2 tsp minced garlic (or more because it’s awesome)

3/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (secret ingredient)

1 10-ounce frozen spinach or 1 healthy cup chopped or torn fresh spinach

2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

1 Tbsp smoked paprika

Preheat the oven to 350 and spray an 8-inch square baking dish or 9-inch pie plate with non-stick spray. Sautee the onions and ham in butter or coconut oil until the onions are translucent. Whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, garlic, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Fold in the spinach, Swiss cheese, onion and ham mixture, and smoked paprika into the egg mixture and pour into the dish. Bake for around 40 minutes until the top is golden brown. Toothpick the center to ensure baked thoroughly though. Cool about 5 minutes before serving.

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• Nebraska Football: Matt Rhule faces tough decision between Heinrich Haarberg and Jeff Sims

Once the BIG RED has won the game, you can enjoy some Halloween shenanigans! I was inspired by the Halloween tradition of bobbing for apples for this drink recipe (and because boilermaker jello shots just sound gross). For this you will need 1 packet of unflavored gelatin, 1 cup of apple cider and 1/4 cup Apple Pucker Schnapps. Heat 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of cider in a sauce pan. Add in the gelatin and let it sit a couple minutes heating and stirring until it’s dissolved. Take it off the heat and let it cool down a bit. add in another 1/2 cup of cider and 1/4 cup of apple pucker schnapps. Pour into the shot cups and chill. If you want to make it really gross, toss in a gummy worm for effect.

Feel free to send us your tailgate photos or Husker Halloween photos on our facebook page or tweet them to us at @theHuskerCorner. I predict that De’Mornay Pierson-El will get his return for a touchdown, Jordan Westerkamp will have a BIG game, and the defense (Nate Gerry) will get at least 1 turnover. In the meantime, be safe in the neighborhoods with the little trick or treaters everywhere and  GO BIG RED!