Game Day

On a brisk, sunny Saturday afternoon I stand in line shoulder to shoulder, waiting anxiously at my chance to enter the gates while the sound of thousands of screaming fans sends the chills up my spine. I’m eager to get inside the gates and become a part of the most amazing fans in college football, eager to become part of the “sea of red”. Finally I have made my way to the front of line, where the excitement builds up even more inside of me. The welcoming smell of popcorn, hot dogs and Runza’s invite me to stop for a quick bite to eat. I resist the temptation, too excited to stop.
When I make my walk toward the tunnel, I quicken my step hearing the roar of the crowd build as I get closer. At the top of the ramp I step out into the sun light to finally lay my eyes on what I have been waiting for. The crowd is buzzing with excitement as kickoff nears. I make the walk up to my row and slide in front of other eager husker fans dressed in red. Upon reaching my seat I look down at the hard, cold bench that I know I won’t be sitting on for long. When I look around I see every different kind of person. First the little boy who looks like he is attending his first game, the grandpa beside him who has been through many seasons and the rowdy student fan.
Finally, as if the time would never come, the familiar sound of the “tunnel walk” begins to play and the noise in the stadium grows to an amazingly loud roar. Chills flow throughout my body and I can’t help but let out a yell. My eyes are glued to the jumbo screen in the far end zone, which is playing past and current highlights. As the music climaxes and the crowd noise reaches its highest point, the scarlet and cream rush onto the field. The loud unison chant of “Go big red” takes over the stadium. I watch as eleven players take the field in front of the 86,000 fans. The hype is at its peak and all of the waiting is over. The kicker approaches the ball and the game begins…