Nebraska Football Tailgate: Not even Lovie likes early games

(Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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It’s another early game for Nebraska football fans but no need to worry, we have the perfect ingredients for the ideal tailgate against Illinois.

Guess what? It’s an 11 am kickoff for Nebraska football fans. Yes, again. For those of you not wanting to brave the 30-degree degree weather and partly sunny skies in Lincoln, the game will be on BTN.

What about that Husker game last week though?! I’ll admit it went better than I thought. It was great to see a quick start by the offense and being up at half time was epic. Speaking of a-pick, how about that one in the end zone — the one against Ohio State. Well done Blackshirts!

And who knew we had tight ends that could get involved? Just when I had forgotten about a good jam (not the kind on my breakfast toast), a quick release and then a quick route and catch the ball, there it was! The good guys didn’t win that one but dang, it was close. Good things ahead, Husker fans.

Looking ahead, there are only three more games left to enjoy. Soak it all in. And maybe, just maybe they won’t all be at 11 am. Seriously, this has been some kind of horrible hell with these morning games. I don’t think I’ll ever look at orange juice and breakfast casserole the same way again. I’ll just throw it back in the fridge.

The alternate “throwback” uniforms will make an appearance this week for Nebraska football as well. The only thing I like is that the helmet has an old fashioned feel with big stitches on it although I doubt you will see it on tv. The back of the uniforms have the “Not the victory but the action. Not the goal but the game. In the deed the glory.” quote on the back. That’s pretty sweet. That’s Nebraska right there!!

And if you’re going to talk uniforms, don’t forget about the men and women in them on a daily basis. This week is also military appreciation week at Memorial Stadium. Someone on my walk to the stadium, as I was swimming deep within the Sea of Red, said that on game day to remember the RED stands for “remember everyone deployed.” I liked it so I thought I would share it. THANKS to all who are serving and those that keep their home fires burning!

The fighting Illini come to town and they are fresh off a firing of a defensive coordinator. I don’t know the difference between a Tampa 2 defensive coverage and a two high defensive coverage. If the game wasn’t so dang early I’d probably look it up. No one is sure what the orange and blue will bring to the table defensively but the good news is that Husker head coach Scott Frost is familiar with Tampa 2. Surely he’s had time to bring Coach Chinander up to speed.

My fast take on beverages you ask? I found the perfect drink for this Nebraska Saturday morning tailgate. It not only describes how I feel about the morning tailgate abuse we’ve endured over the course of the season, but it’s easy to say no matter how many you’ve consumed. It’s the Slow Screw! The recipe is easy. In a tall glass, mix vodka, orange juice and top with sloe gin. If you just want “a comfortable screw”, add southern comfort. If you want it “up against the wall” add Galliano. You know you giggled.

Given how chilly it will be, I say go with a breakfast pizza or burritos. These are things you can eat with gloves on. Wrap up any combination of eggs, sausage, cheese, bacon, tator tots, ham, and onions. If you have the room, plan it as a do it yourself burrito bar. We’ve been watching kids make them at Qdoba. How hard could it be?

As for a little Nebraska garnish, the Big Red receivers JD Spielman and Stanley Morgan Jr, and running back Devine Ozigbo could all three reach 1,000 yards this year. That would be a nice bit of gravy for those biscuits! Good luck guys!

That’s all I got. Please share your tailgate photos and recipes with me at Kelian_NE on Twitter. Get up, get to the tailgate, and bring your manners. Bring your hand warmers and your smiles because Nebraska should get to bring home a W for dinner on Saturday. As always, GO BIG RED!