For some fans, it's a rare opportunity to get up close with the players who will start a new season in just two weeks. This year much of the fan focus is on a former Husker star, who's back in town with a new role. This year the turnout at Memorial Stadium told a different story. Lines were longer and Big Red spirit seemed to be at an all-time high, thanks to this year's new head coach.
Scott Frost is back. And fans at Memorial Stadium were clearly excited. "I'm very very excited because Scott Frost knows what Nebraska football is about. Pride, winning, tradition, he knows all about it,” said Christina Bauermeister, fan day attendee.
While some fans were experiencing the day for the first time many are true veterans. Vincent Foster has been a die-hard Huskers fan his whole life. Now he's passed that tradition on to his grandson. After attending Fan Day almost every year, he says this year the energy is different because of Frost. Foster predicts he will start the season off right when the Huskers take on Akron. “The Zips are a good little team but I’m hoping with Scott in here it will be like 45 to 3, 45 to 7,” said Foster.
The Penas family started attending fan fest when their five-year-old son Beau was a baby. Now they make a stop every year and have a new addition, three-year-old Ben in tow. Bubba Pena says they made sure to be one of the first in line to get autographs from the new head coach, which was no easy task. "Lots of people everywhere, long lines like usual but extra-long this year and it's just a different excitement this year for Nebraska fans,” said Pena.
Most fans who waited in line for hours and took up blocks of Lincoln seem to agree the return of Frost will bring back the wins. "Let's go Husker Nation,” said Bauermeister. And optimism is high, with some saying Nebraska could soon go all the way. “Go Huskers,” said Foster. The next time the stadium will be full of Husker fans will be September ninth as the Huskers take on the Akron Zips.
