AndreWhere
Banned
Posts: 6,189
Joined: Dec 2009
I Root For: Southern Miss
Location: DunwoodY
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Thank you, Nebraska, from a Southern Miss fan
I want to express how much your football series with Southern Miss has meant to me and my family.
My grandfather was a Nebraska graduate (BA and JD) and a huge Husker fan. My wife, my brother, and I all hold degrees from USM.
In the 1980s and the 1990s I pulled hard for your team in those Orange Bowls. I was afraid that Granddad would not get to see a national championship, at least not while I was around. But Granddad lived into his nineties, and he got to see Nebraska win that elusive championship twice. It was understood by all of us that Granddad considered those teams his representatives.
I was in college at USM when I heard about the first USM-Nebraska series. The fact that it included a home game in Hattiesburg meant a lot to me. It helped me hold my head up high around a man who I considered my "gold standard." The three teams that we put forward for these contests were my representatives.
Each of those three games holds strong memories for us. I listened to the first game in Lincoln with my brother and wife in a little college apartment within sight of our stadium. You beat us 14-0, but your fans applauded our defense.
The game at Hattiesburg was the last Nebraska game Granddad attended, and it was something unexpected for all of us, in multiple ways. Granddad was a Husker through and through, who talked about things like graduation rate, conference affiliation, and the AAU. When your fans applauded, it meant something to me.
The third game was the one USM won. Granddad was not an easy man to fluster; he worked for years as a corporate attorney, negotiator, and CEO. That game did the trick, though!
Now, the rumor is that Nebraska and USM will play at the Superdome. This is a prospect that really excites me, and I can assure you that our family will be present in numbers. I really hope this can be a de facto bowl game for both schools.
There are plenty of reasons for fans of both schools to attend this contest, if it happens. The Superdome is really a brand new stadium. It is impressive to behold.
This has been a time of some consternation, for USM and probably for many other teams. USM versus Nebraska at the Superdome is the kind of possibility that keeps me hanging on through the difficult times.
(This post was last modified: 03-02-2012 12:52 AM by AndreWhere.)
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03-02-2012 12:47 AM |
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terryW
Special Teams
Posts: 845
Joined: Sep 2004
Reputation: 35
I Root For: Southern Miss
Location: Hattiesburg
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RE: Thank you, Nebraska, from a Southern Miss fan
Like Andre, I'm another Golden Eagle fan with strong connections to Nebraska. My dad was born in Gordon and my grandfather in Valentine. I've never been fortunate enough to visit either. I'm told it's beautiful country with many horse ranches and I'd love to see it.
I'm very happy to see our two schools playing again. You have the classiest football fans in the country. I met many when you came to play in Hattiesburg some years back. Eagle fans still speak highly of your people. Your fans endeared themselves to many USM fans.
Good luck this coming season. I, of course, will be hoping for a USM victory. Just pray it's a good, injury free day for both teams. Take care to all and hope you win the Big Ten.
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07-25-2012 09:26 AM |
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