-Isms: Views on life in rural America

Where were you 50 years ago, on Thanksgiving, when two of the top college football programs battled it out in what is known as the game of the century?

I was hoping for a repeat outcome Saturday, when Nebraska traveled to Norman, but like many games in recent Husker history, we did not capitalize on opportunities in the scarlet zone.

Part of me says, “Take the moral victory against the (then) third-ranked team in the country.”

Part of me says, “Oh no, here we go again.”

I refuse to debate the football team’s woes. Some elements are working well; others continue to need improvement.

I enjoy talking about memories involving the Huskers because football, in the Larson family, meant family time. The 1971 game was no exception.

My grandparents’ farmhouse was full of in-laws, outlaws, cousins, cousins twice removed and heck, one of the neighbors’ families. The ranch house featured an open concept living and dining room, but most of the men jockeyed for position to be close to the 22-inch Magnovox screen. Lyle Bremser called plays on the radio, which blared in unison, with the television commentary.

Most of the women gathered in the kitchen, tidying up after our Thanksgiving feast. Some of the kids were playing games in a bedroom or outside, and, in what we called the middle bedroom, our twin cousins slept and cooed, out of sight.

Johnny Rodgers set the tone that day, with a 72-yard punt return to put Nebraska on the board first. Nearly everyone in the house erupted with whoops and hollers.

“Holy moly! Man, woman and child ... Johnny Rogers just tore them loose from their shoes,” Bremser announced.

On cue, Grandma shushed us all. “You’ll wake the babies,” she scolded.

For the next few hours, our attention was riveted on the screen. More cheering, more jeering.

When Jeff Kinney ramrodded his way into the end zone, with 1:38 left in the game, giving the Huskers a 35-31 advantage and win, the cheering began once more. This time, we woke the babies snoozing in the bedroom. It may have taken cousin Kathy a while to forgive the die-hard Husker fans.

Fifty years may have passed since that game was played, but the film runs through my mind, in living color and slow motion, noting each precise detail, like the game was played yesterday.

It’s one of those moments you likely will never forget. At age 10, you’re excited because the Huskers won and everyone around you is celebrating success. At age 60, it’s a reminder of days gone by, family members who are no longer with us, long weekend road trips to Big 8 Conference schools. It’s a reminder of simpler times and, possibly, a simpler, more clear-cut sport.

I posed the question on Facebook, Saturday, and received a few responses. My friend, Josh Napier, told me the question was ageist. I told him he’s young. ... so shhh!

Levi Pofahl responded that he’d asked his parents. Debb was locked out of the house because the adults were too engrossed in the game to hear the kids trying to get inside. His dad, Lee, watched the game with his family.

Julie Harley admitted she didn’t know anything about the Nebraska Cornhuskers at that time. Steve Harley was home on the ranch, watching the game on a black and white TV. When the Huskers won, he broke a light fixture when he whipped a blanket in the air.

Win or lose, Husker football will always be engrained in my life. One of these days, when they pull a big upset, I imagine I’ll remember nearly every detail. Ask me about it in 50 years.