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Nebraska bringing back touchdown balloons for Colorado game, maybe more

Derek Peterson

By Derek Peterson

Published:

Nebraska will distribute red balloons ahead of Saturday’s home game against Colorado. The Touchdown Balloon makes its triumphant return.

In a release from the program on Thursday, Nebraska stated the balloons return as a way to honor the 1994 national championship team. Balloons will be distributed at no cost in and around Memorial Stadium by staffers.

Nebraska also said the school will consider bringing the touchdown balloons back for “select special occasions” going forward.

Saturday’s game will mark the first time since 2021 Husker fans will be able to release balloons following the Huskers’ first touchdown of the game. It was a time-honored and fan-favorite tradition that dated back to the 1960s., Nebraska paused the practice in 2022 with former athletic director Trev Alberts citing a helium shortage and other environmental concerns.

The tradition had been a hot-button issue previously for some, pointing to various potential environmental threats caused by thousands of fans releasing balloons. In November of 2020, Nebraska’s student government unanimously voted to support a resolution that encouraged the stopping of balloon releases.

Saturday’s game against Colorado will also feature an appearance from legendary Nebraska coach Frank Solich, who will be recognized during the game ahead of his induction into the College Football of Fame later this year.

Nebraska (1-0) is looking to end a 3-game losing slide to the Buffaloes. The hate-filled series was put on hold when both schools left the Big 12 following the 2010 season. Nebraska had won 15 of the previous 19 meetings. A home-and-home in 2018 and 2019 went to Colorado. The 2 sides played in Boulder last season, where Colorado won 36-14 thanks to a turnover bonanza from the Huskers.

This year’s contest is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The Huskers are a 7-point favorite at ESPN Bet.

Derek Peterson

Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.