Husker Football: Spring Game Tailgate

It’s finally here! Football in April is always a very welcome thing in Nebraska. I mean there aren’t many programs that can convince over 60,000 fans to come to a game where the home team is guaranteed to win. Most other spring games are free and they can’t even put butts in seats. Yet another reason why “There is no place like Nebraska!”

The weather forecast for Saturday is mostly cloudy and breezy with a game temperature of 70 degrees at gametime, 1:00 pm CDT. There may be some showers so be prepared. Basically you should pack the canopy and make sure to bring all your other tailgate supplies.

My friends from other states are always surprised when they hear that Husker fans tailgate for Spring Game. A) it’s football; B) it’s been a LONG time since the last Husker game; and C) IT’S FOOTBALL!

What may have started out as just a spring scrimmage ends up, after a few more months, becoming something that is as savored and loved as a great burger cooked to perfection on a grill.

Who doesn’t love a story that starts small and grows into something big?

This takes me to my tailgate topic – barbeque sauce. I met a guy by the name of Todd Morgan. Like any other gracious tailgater, he offered up a taste of his tailgate temptations as I was walking by.

Todd, a 27-year firefighter, has a love of tailgating, specifically Nebraska Cornhusker tailgating. In his endeavors to host the best tailgate, along with his wonderful wife, Fae, he has created his own BBQ sauce. He was not satisfied with what was out there (sound familiar Husker football fans?) and he wanted to create something better.

He’s done that.

How do I know?

Not only have I sampled it, but his “Sparky’s Wing & Dippin Sauce” was voted the best wing sauce in the world 2 years in a row (2015 & 2016) at The World Hot Sauce Awards in Louisiana.

What started out as a homemade sauce in some jars at a tailgate, skip ahead to 2010 at a Husker football game where he ended up giving away 160 sauced-up chicken wings prompting his wife to say, “let’s try selling this,” to now where Sparky’s Fire and Sparky’s Wing & Dippin Sauce is currently available all over Nebraska Hy-Vee markets, and even available in stores in Oklahoma and Iowa.

You can use it on pork, chicken or beef because there is no vinegar bite but Todd says it’s best on wings.

I asked Todd to share one of his favorite recipes for Spring Game.

He said he slow cooks a 4 lb. beef roast in the crock pot with some sauce on the top and about 1/2 cup water on the bottom for approximately 6 hours or until tender. Drain the meat and shred it with a fork.

Blend in 1 bottle of Sparky’s Wing & Dippin Sauce. Keep it warm on the grill above the flame to serve on a roll or bun of your choice. Feel free to add cheese. I liked a slice of Swiss but any cheese is good cheese in my opinion.

Get other recipes from Todd at @sparkysauce62.

I would be remiss if I didn’t include a beverage choice for Husker Saturday.

Start the day off with a mimosa or some Bailey’s and coffee, and then switch over to some lighter fare.

Spring is about color. Mix any one of the countless flavors of fruit infused vodkas with soda or sprite. Add in some cut strawberries, black berries or raspberries and a refreshing beverage is built to perfection.

An easy jello shot recipe for the spring season is mixing peach jello with Peach brandy.

HiramWalker and Dekuyper both make it. Mix a box of jello with 1 cup boiling water and stir until blended. Add in ¾ cup of peach brandy, pour into shot cups and chill. It’s light and refreshing, with a bit of a kick. Kind of like football in spring!

I’m looking forward to watching Tanner Lee and Patrick O’Brien toss the rock (finally). I’m curious to see how animated Bob Diaco is on the sideline. Get some insight into his progress here.  I get the feeling he has a little “Bo” in him.

I can’t wait to watch De’Mornay Pierson-El make some great catches and take it to the house. Coach Riley is keeping the same point format as last year so it actually means something to the players.

As always, make sure to enjoy the tailgating and time with good friends. Only 143 days until the Cornhuskers open the season against Arkansas State on September 2.

GO BIG RED!