Over 1,200 miles from Memorial StadiumÌý— and nearly 5,000 from IrelandÌý— the red balloons flitted past palm trees into the azure Arizona sky.
After blaring the Husker fight song, red-clad patrons filed into the parking lot of Moon Valley Grill in Phoenix after Nebraska took an early lead against Northwestern in Dublin last Saturday to reenact a tradition thatÌý— until this yearÌý— was a rite of fall in Lincoln.
The bar and restaurant, owned by former NU wingback Roger Lindstrom, is one of the many hangout spots across the country that fill with the Husker faithful each Saturday in the fall.Ìý
Traditions like the balloon release, hot dog and hamburger buns branded with "N" and playing the fight song after each score are just some of the highlights at Moon Valley Grill, which Lindstrom bought in 2009.
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Husker memorabilia line the wall and former players and coaches have even been known to frequent the bar.
"You'd think you're in Lincoln," Lindstrom said.
There are dozens of watch sites in the U.S.Ìý— from New York to San DiegoÌý— for Husker fans to find a home away from home. Chapters of the Nebraska Alumni Association generally organize watch parties and communicate with fans living in the area.
Michigan native James Griessel is living in the land of Volunteers, but on fall Saturdays, his bar and restaurant outside Nashville, Tennessee, is transformed into a Sea of Red.
The Tin Roof 2 in Franklin became a Husker hangout in 2013 and draws hundreds of ex-pat Nebraska fans.
Griessel has been the general manager for about three years. On his first day, he wore a Wolverines shirt not knowing he worked at a bar that caters to Nebraskans.
"Nobody gave me a heads-up," Griessel said, laughing. "That was a good experience."
Belly up to the bar and you'll find a couple of Cornhusker State-inspired drinks to enjoy, including Big Red Bomb shotsÌý— a fruity mix of lime vodka and watermelon Red BullÌý— and Elk Creek Water.
Husker gear is also raffled off with the moneyÌý— about $2,000-3,000 a yearÌý— going toward scholarship funds.
"I think they're some of the most loyal fans I've seen," Griessel said. "I know UT fans; they're not as loyal as Husker fans."
Up north, Nebraska ex-pats living in Minnesota congregate at Lyons Pub in the heart of Minneapolis on game days.Ìý
The bar became the go-to watch site for Husker fans a few years ago after a former site closed and because it's centrally located, said Adrian Contreras, president of Minnesotans for Nebraska.
For Big Red fans living out of state, having a home away from home to catch a game is a way to relive the memories of Saturdays in Lincoln.
"If you grew up in Nebraska, that's what you did on Saturdays," Contreras said. "If you grew up on a farm that's what you listened to. If you went to the university, that's certainly what you did on a Saturday afternoon."
The Minneapolis bar is also a place to find a taste of homeÌý— it makes its own version of the Runza called Big Red Baskets on game days.
"You end up talking to everyone," Contreras said. "You're going to meet somebody from Lyons, Nebraska, or Norfolk, Nebraska, or someone you went to high school with at Lincoln High or Northeast. It's a close-knit bar."
In Tucson, Arizona, over 50 Husker fans enjoyed a breakfast at Craft Republic to take in the early start, said Gary Mahler, president of Southern Arizonans for Nebraska.Ìý
"It was one of our better watch parties," Mahler said.
The Huskers share space at Craft Republic with fans from Alabama, Michigan State and Iowa, and there is a "divided house" flag that goes to the winner of the Huskers-Hawkeyes battle each year.
There are also raffles and merchandise sales that go toward the Keith Bauman Memorial Scholarship fund (Bauman was the chapter's founder) and the Team Jack Foundation.
About two hours north, the fans gathered at Moon Valley Grill enjoyed a beer or Bloody Mary while cheering on their team.
Despite Saturday's lossÌý— and some leaner past seasons of lateÌý— the place still draws a crowd on game days.
"You wouldn't know if you're having a winning record or a losing record," said Lindstrom. "The bar is full every week ... You know Husker fans are going to show up."
Seven places to catch a Husker football game outside Nebraska
Chicago: Kirkwood Bar & Grill
The atmosphere:ÌýPlan to show up early for big games if you want a table — as there is often a line of people waiting to get in. ...ÌýAnother interesting thing about Kirkwood is its neighborhood. Walk around the nearby streets and there are so many other Big Ten-themed bars — all packed on fall Saturdays with fans supporting their teams.Ìý-- Dan Hennings, president of Chicagoans for Nebraska.
The menu:ÌýSolid food menu from top to bottom, but the Husker Burger with a side of tater tots is definitely a fan favorite. When going to watch a game at Kirkwood with a few friends, a fishbowl is a must.
The traditions:ÌýLike most good watch-sites, Kirkwood plays the game audio over the speakers and plays the fight song after the Huskers score a touchdown, but what sets it apparent for me is how there is such a wide variety of Husker fans that come together there each week.
Minneapolis: Lyons Pub
The atmosphere:ÌýCentrally located in downtown Minneapolis, this bar is a must for Husker fans up north, said Minnesotans for Nebraska President Adrian Contreras. "Lyons Pub is kind of that neighborhood-friendly pub. You end up talking to everyone. You're going to meet somebody from Lyons, Nebraska, or Norfolk, Nebraska, or someone you went to high school with at Lincoln High or Northeast. It's a close-knit bar."
The menu:ÌýBig Red Baskets are the bar's take on the Runza sandwich.
The traditions: The chapter has held auctions at the bar to raise money for scholarships. The chapter's dues also go toward scholarships.Ìý
Phoenix: Moon Valley Grill
Phoenix
The atmosphere:ÌýCount on plenty of Husker memorabilia on the walls of this Arizona watch site. Former Husker Roger Lindstrom has been running the place since 2009 and former Husker players and coaches -- including Charlie McBride -- have been known to frequent the place. There about 15-20 TVs with patios that are heated in the winter and have misters in the summer.
The menu:ÌýThe usual American pub fare. Buns are branded with "N" and the beef is shipped in from Holdrege.
The traditions:ÌýThe red-balloon release lives on here. After the Huskers score, red-clad patrons let go of balloons in the parking lot. The fight song is also played after each score.
Tucson: Craft Republic
The atmosphere:ÌýNebraska fans have the larger, west room of the establishment that seats about 75-80 people and features seven large TV screens plus one really huge screen. ... Game days are a lot of fun — particularly when the Huskers win. When the game has a very early start like 9 AM the crowd is small at kick-off but grows as the game progresses.Ìý (Craft Republic has a special breakfast menu for those early starts and that helps get fans in the seats.) -- Gary Mahler, president of Southern Arizonans for Nebraska.
The menu:ÌýThe Craft Philly is hard to beat (especially with a Blue Moon to wash it down). Coffee is the go-to for the early starts.
The traditions:ÌýThe Craft Republic is also the watch site for fans of Alabama, Iowa and Michigan State. A flag goes to the winner of the Nebraska-Iowa battle. Talk about a divided house.
San Diego: Duck Dive
The atmosphere:ÌýThe Duck Dive -- in the Pacific Beach neighborhood -- has been managed by past Nebraska football players and has been an awesome place for Nebraska fans who are touring the San Diego area, and Pacific Beach is a great place for tourists to catch a Husker game while here.ÌýThe area has quite a few alumni and most game days we will fill the place inside and out. -- Randy De George, president of San Diego Huskers.
The menu:ÌýRunza-style sandwiches and red drinks.
The traditions:ÌýThe chapter sells T-shirts with money going toward scholarship funds for students attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Kansas City: Minsky's Pizza
The atmosphere:ÌýThe gameday atmosphere varies across the city. For example the Minsky’s at the Barry Road location just north of downtown Kansas City can handle a larger crowd, and is a more traditional downtown Lincoln-like bar and restaurant feel. The Minsky’s City Market location is in downtown and right on the streetcar line, and attracts a younger, recent college grad experience. All locations will have a Husker vibe, but depending on the location, there is an experience to fit all levels of enthusiasm. But regardless of the location, all Nebraska alumni feel welcome and part of the gameday excitement and experience — Paul Savastano, Kansas City Huskers.
The menu:ÌýOne of the legendary favorites is the Papa Minsky pizza, but in recent years they have partnered with a Ìýto offer a mix of slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork and burnt ends on a pizza — a fan favorite in Kansas City. … Minsky’s also has a great selection of salads and sandwiches for those looking for options other than pizza. On drinks they support popular local brewery Boulevard and have their own line of beer, Burlesque Lager.
The traditions:ÌýOver the years, Minsky’s has embraced Nebraska alumni and fans and understands the brand that Nebraska is. Watching some of the recent — and numerous — national championship runs by the Nebraska volleyball team has been really exciting and generated some great crowds at several Minsky’s locations across Kansas City.
Nashville: Tin Roof 2
The atmosphere:ÌýTin Roof 2 is just a short drive south of Nashville, Tennessee in Franklin. It became a Husker watch site in 2013 and every TV is tuned into the game. The place averages nearly 100 Husker fans each weekend. The first game is typically the largest; sometimes over 200 crazy Nashville Husker fans show up. -- Tim Debuse, president of Nashville Huskers.
The menu: The wings are amazing but everything on the menu is worth checking out.ÌýElk Creek Water is a go-to drink.
The traditions: The chapterÌýraffles off Husker gear and the money raised goes toward its scholarship fund -- typically around $2,000-3,000 a year. The fight song is played after every score.