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‘It’s bigger than the game of football’: 20 years ago, Husker football served a bigger purpose as a state, country healed | Football


There was still a football game to be played, but before kickoff, the patriotic crowd was buzzing, and more importantly, united.

The ball was kicked and Nebraska took quick control. Eric Crouch hit Tracey Wistrom for a 37-yard touchdown, Judd Davies rumbled in for a touchdown and Wilson made a diving TD grab to give the Huskers a 21-0 lead less than 13 minutes into the game.






NU’s Tunnel Walk for the 2001 game against Rice was changed for the first time. Instead of players and coaches running on the field, the ritual featured law enforcement and fire officials presenting the colors. Both Nebraska and Rice players walked on the field during a time of silence to honor the nation.




For Wilson, it was his first touchdown as a Husker. A memorable moment.

But there are other reasons why the Rice game stands out.

“It was just heartfelt,” he said of the night.

If the players were not aware of what they were playing for that night, then-coach Frank Solich made sure to remind them.

“Coach Solich did a great job of just relaying the message that we’re going to play this game and it’s bigger than the game of football,” Adams said. “It’s for fans, it’s for the country. Our fans, they needed this.”

When the game was over, Nebraska won 48-3, most of the Husker and Rice players came together at midfield and kneeled as assistant coach Ron Brown delivered a prayer. 

The fans exited the stadium, many of them knowing they had to work the next day, many of them still trying to process the events from a week earlier.



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