PARKER GABRIEL
Lincoln Journal Star
Steven M. Sipple and Parker Gabriel offer their thoughts after watching a full Husker football practice Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Memorial Stadium.
Between the crisp weather, the breeze tunneling down Stadium Drive and the red-clad patrons making their way toward Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon, one could have almost mistaken April 17 for Oct. 17.Â
OK, maybe not quite, but more than 3,000 fans gladly snapped up free tickets to watch the Huskers practice two weeks before a much bigger crowd will convene for the Red-White Spring Game.Â
It marked the first time since November 2019 that the general public has been allowed inside the historic building. Last year's spring game was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the Big Ten only allowed for parents and a very select few to attend regular-season games in the fall.Â
Big screens are nice and all, but there's just something different about the real thing.Â
"It's exciting because it's been a long time," said longtime Lincoln resident Brady Skinner outside the stadium as he and his 7-year-old son, Justus, made their way toward their seats.Â
Skinner tries to make it to a game or two each season, but Justus had never been inside. Asked if he was looking forward to seeing the Huskers, he smiled big from behind a mask and nodded his head.Â
"It's just not the same (to watch on TV) as it is to be here in person and hear the crowd roar," he said. "At least having a season was better than nothing, but being here in person is what we were looking forward to."Â
If the Skinners stayed until the very end, they saw some additional father-son fun when coach Scott Frost's son R.J. ran into the post-practice huddle and yelled, "Dad!" Frost picked him up and ended practice with him over his shoulders.
The approximately 3,200 onlookers clapped at the end and many of the players returned the appreciation by coming over to the West Stadium stands, waving, taking pictures, giving high-fives and even signing a few autographs.Â
The doors opened at 1:45 p.m. and before the team was even through its preliminary stretching and opening practice periods, a couple of robust "Go Big Red" chants had echoed through the stadium that sat nearly empty for more than a year.Â
Chris Ross, 65, made the trip from Plattsmouth and entered the stadium interested to see what junior quarterback Adrian Martinez looked like and how a young offensive line would protect the likely fourth-year starter.Â
“I think the receivers will be a crucial part if we give Adrian time to pass to them," he said. "I’m not worried about the defense.â€
The music blared, fans oohed and ahhed at big plays and no doubt scribbled some notes or at least catalogued mentally what they think about a team that's gone 12-20 over Frost's first three seasons at his alma mater.Â
“It’s hard sometimes," Ross said of the recent struggles, "But I have to stay true to being a fan. As you get older, you learn you can’t get as mad about it.â€
There wasn't much to be mad about on the first Saturday in 70 weeks that the Sea of Red began to trickle back into its home.
Photos: What a Husker football practice (with fans!) looks like
Fans returned to Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2019 for a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost (top center) watches the action during an April 17 practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning dashes to the end zone after a reception Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (second left in back) and running backs coach Ryan Held (back center) watch Husker quarterback Logan Smothers (8) in action during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Matt Masker (18) takes a keeper Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Jamie Nance catches a pass April 17 during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Austin Jablonski catches a pass Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) throws a pass Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Injured Nebraska running back Markese Stepp watches the action during a football practice at Memorial Stadium on April 17.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Jamie Nance (left) catches a pass under pressure from Quinton Newsome during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning catches a pass during a football practice at Memorial Stadium on April 17.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure catches a pass during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Isaac Gifford (23) defends against Barron Miles Jr. on Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning catches a pass April 17 during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning (5) catches a pass Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Oliver Martin (left) catches a pass while being pursued by cornerback Quinton Newsome during a practice at Memorial Stadium on April 17.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Fans sport Husker gear during a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Husker assistant coach Greg Austin blows his whistle while directing players through drills during a practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (0) runs the ball during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant recently earned a scholarship after a strong spring performance that saw him put himself in position to be part of the Huskers' backfield this fall.Â
Journal Star file photo
Inside linebacker Luke Reimer (left) attempts to bring down running back Cooper Jewett during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska running back Cooper Jewett completes a play during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson directs players through a drill during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson directs players through a drill during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant Greg Austin coaches players during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Fans take in the action during a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterbacks Adrian Martinez (2) and Matt Masker (18) greet freshman running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) on the sidelines during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Freshman running back Sevion Morrison is seen on the sidelines during a Nebraska football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Heinrich Haarberg (from left), Logan Smothers, and Matt Maske wait for instruction during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska football players take part in a drill during a practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A young fan watches the action during a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska tight ends coach Sean Beckton helps with drills during an April 17 practice at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska running back Trevin Luben runs with the ball Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (0) runs the ball against Garrett Nelson (44) on Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Trevin Luben (35) runs with the ball against safety Noa Pola-Gates (21) on Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Greg Austin directs player during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Greg Austin (right) and Husker center Cam Jurgens (51) take in the action during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone eyes an incoming pass during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (from left), Matt Masker, Adrian Martinez and Heinrich Haarberg gather together Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive coordinator Matt Lubick instructs his players Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Nebraska offensive coordinator Matt Lubick instructs his players Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure catches a pass Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Husker defense huddles on the field during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (top) watches as quarterbacks Logan Smothers (front left) and Heinrich Haarberg run through a drill during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Wide receiver Omar Manning catches a pass during a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive coordinator Matt Lubick (top) gives instructions during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (from left), Adrian Martinez, Matt Masker, and Heinrich Haarberg wait for directions during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Members of the media cover a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg looks to throw down the field during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Matt Masker (18) speaks with head coach Scott Frost during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receivers Jamie Nance (left) and Omar Manning (5) look on after a play during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbackS Heinrich Haarberg (right) and Matt Masker look on during a practice on April 17, 2021, at Memorial Stadium
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) throws a pass under the watchful eyes of Heinrich Haarberg (left) and Adrian Martinez during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (right) throws a pass as teammate Matt Masker looks on during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive lineman Brant Banks looks on during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska sixth-year senior Trent Hixson (left) may end up replacing Cam Jurgens at center in 2022 after coach Scott Frost said the veteran took a "giant leap" this spring.Â
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Austin Jablonski catches a pass in the end zone during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Austin Jablonski catches a pass in the end zone during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning reaches for a pass during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A young fan cheers on the Huskers during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (left) attempts to pull in a pass while defended by safety Deontai Williams during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Fans returned to Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2019 for a Husker football practice Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska redshirt freshman John Goodwin stops for a water break during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive lineman Teddy Prochazka watches drills during a football practice on Saturday, April 17 at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive lineman Ethan Piper (57) smiles at a teammate's comment Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Greg Austin (top right) works with his players Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive linemen Cam Jurgens (top) and Turner Corcoran participate in blocking drills during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Greg Austin (bottom left) watches warmups during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive linemen Jimmy Fritzsche (left) and Riley Moses work on blocking during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Nebraska offensive linemen Turner Corcoran (69) and Ethan Piper (57) slap hands during warmups during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (8) and Adrian Martinez walk across the field during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running backs coach Ryan Held hands off to Marvin Scott during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska offensive linemen Turner Corcoran (top) and Jimmy Fritzsche participate in blocking drills during a football practice at Memorial Stadium on April 17.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska secondary coach Travis Fisher smiles between plays during a practice last season at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Safety Javin Wright smiles after being juked by teammate Will Nixon (not pictured)Â during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Safety Noa Pola-Gates gets into position for a drill during a football practice Saturday, April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Starr file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (left) and Adrian Martinez speak between drills during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Marvin Scott III loses his grip on a pass during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Sophomore running back Markese Stepp sits on the sideline during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska football coach Scott Frost directs his players through a drill during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Husker players move to drill stations during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Defensive line coach Tony Tuioti (left) gives instruction to players during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska safety Javin Wright (left) intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Samori Toure during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) talks with Marcus Castro-Walker, the Huskers' former director of player development, on April 17, 2021 during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight ends coach Sean Beckton directs his players during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone catches a pass during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone catches a pass during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure catches a pass during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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