The Nebraska Cornhuskers have released a slightly tweaked uniform which will be worn in celebration of the 100th year of Memorial Stadium, where the team plays its football games.
The stadium opened in 1923, and Nebraska has put together a bit of a retrospective looking back at memories of the building.
The team has produced a really nice video which contains fans’ memories of the stadium, interspersed with a few looks at the special uniform, which is a tad over three and a half minutes in length (embedded below). But first, let’s take a look at the “new” uniform.
At first glance, it appears to be their regular home uniform. But look more closely and you notice the white uniform numbers are outlined in blue.
There is also a new uniform patch located on the left side of the chest, and a bit of writing inside the two cream stripes on the jersey.
Here are closeups of the uniform patch and the wording on the sleeve stripes:
Why the blue outline on the numbers? From the Nebraska Athletic Department:
On Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, when Nebraska hosts Northwestern at Memorial Stadium, the Huskers will wear an alternate adidas uniform that features the 100-year stadium patch and a blue outline around the numbers. The blue outline has historical significance as the Huskers wore blue uniforms in the first ever game played at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 13, 1923, against Oklahoma. Nebraska wore blue uniforms that day to avoid confusion with Oklahoma who had only traveled with its crimson uniforms. Nebraska was victorious against the Sooners, winning the first ever game at Memorial Stadium 24-0. Memorial Stadium was officially dedicated the following week, Oct. 20, 1923, before the Husker’s game against Kansas.
And the inscription on the sleeve stripes? That comes from the four corners of the stadium, which have an inscription from UNL philosophy professor Hartley Burr Alexander:
Southeast: “In Commemoration of the men of Nebraska who served and fell in the Nation’s Wars.”
Southwest: “Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory.”
Northwest: “Courage; Generosity; Fairness; Honor; In these are the true awards of manly sport.”
Northeast: “Their Lives they held their country’s trust; They kept its faith; They died its heroes.”
So now that you’ve seen the tweaked uniform and know the story behind the blue outlines on the white numbers, let’s take a look at a very nicely produced (I won’t say “hype”) video about the stadium and the uniform.
A century in the making.#GBR /// #TeamAdidas pic.twitter.com/lmEmbpITiz
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) August 15, 2023
There had been some Internet rumors (and justifiable fear) that the Cornhuskers would introduce a new blue jersey for the October 21 game against Northwestern — since they graciously wore blue jerseys in the first game ever played there — but instead have opted to commemorate that with a nice, simple blue outline around the numbers. I think it’s a nice touch.
It’s not easy to make a uniform “celebrate” an edifice, but the Huskers have done an admirable job here!
Excellent job by Nebraska b
Subtle and dignified…well done, Nebraska!
These are words you don’t hear often enough these days.
I’m impressed! Well done, indeed.
I like! Perhaps making the inscriptions on the sleeves dark color so you can see the words a bit easier, but nice touch. The original inscriptions on the turrets have been obscured due to stadium expansion on the East and new press box on the West (you can only see the originals if you’re inside the stadium). Nice to see them brought back to life.
If NU wanted to pay tribute to the 1923 blue jersey game, they should have gone all-in and made a blue version of their current uniforms.
If NU wanted to honor the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium, they should have revived the faux-back look they wore in 2018….which, ironically, were inspired by the 1923 uniforms and have several design elements pulled from the stadium.
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Yeah swapping out red for blue – all other markings the same – would’ve been a startling effect, similar to the dissociative effect of the Cincinnati Reds’ green St. Pat’s suits back in the 70s.
Would’ve been cool.
Only if they were playing Oklahoma (whom they should play every year but that’s another issue for another day).
Against Northwestern, this is enough.
I absolutely love this concept made by a fellow Huskers fan.
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It perfectly combines the faux-back look NU wore in 2018 (inspired by Nebraska’s 1923 uniforms and Memorial Stadium imagery) with a dark blue shade that NU likely wore in the first game against Oklahoma – whom they should still play annually.
Writing as a Cornhusker alum, I approve the look and the inspiration. So many uniforms are disasters these days, it is nice to see something subtle for a change. Also kudos for the team keeping the stripes on the pants that returned after Scott Frost was fired last year.
I loved the video!
First of all- think of all the Memorial stadiums (many of which are gone) named after something really important- those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Second, I liked including the long time season ticket holders telling their stories. This showed that college football is more than big business.
I didn’t even mind the Adidas and big ten logos (who are key players in the commodification of the game). They were there, sure, but not the focus.
Simple. Clean. Effective. Not bad, Bugeaters!
As the dad of a proud Husker I love how they did this. Clean and classy.
Love the video, like the uniform and what a great stadium. Happy 100!
Nicely done, but Paul would cringe at the apostrophe catastrophe:
“Memorial Stadium was officially dedicated the following week, Oct. 20, 1923, before the Husker’s game against Kansas.”
These look great.
Also, this Memorial Stadium font looks a lot like Memorial Stadium in Baltimore for the Orioles and Colts!
OK. Can’t even lie. That video made me tear up a little.
Rock Chalk