Downtown Lincoln businesses prep for ‘crazy’ crowds for Husker football opener

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – As Husker football fans began arriving Friday for the first game of the season, businesses were getting ready for the rush.

A restaurant in downtown Lincoln has been prepping for the first game for two weeks.

Alison Arrigueno is the assistant manager for Hiro 88, which is across the street from the Railyard, where many Husker fans celebrate before the game.

She said she’s expecting large crowds of Husker fans around Hiro 88.

“The Railyard gets super, super busy, where you can’t even see over people,” she said. “It’s hard to move in that crowd.”

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The restaurant usually rents out an area of the railyard, but this year it has upped its game.

Hiro 88 will be on the rooftop, which hasn’t been open for about six years, according to Arrigueno.

“We’re going to have hotdogs and, like, beers and seltzers and stuff like that,” she said. “I think we have five distributers, so it’s been a little crazy having them come in and out with coolers, beer taps and kegs.”

She said because of the hectic crowd she’s seen during recent seasons, Hiro 88 will be extra staffed.

“It’s like all hands on deck when it comes to game days with our servers, our chefs, just like everybody,” she said.

A group of freshmen on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s campus said they are excited to be in the student section for the first time.

“It’s our first Nebraska game where we’re actually a part of the campus itself, so we’re cheering for our own team now,” Jack Wade said. “We’re here, we’re a part of the student section, and we’re going to be dressing up, going crazy.”

And the Nebraska Alumni Association was spreading Husker spirit Friday on campus.

“Anyone who wears a red shirt today gets a free popsicle, courtesy of the alumni association, and a big Go Big Red,” said Jeff Sheldon, the associate executive director.

He said the first home game always gets students pumped up.

“There’s lots of alumni back; there’s lots of students going to and from classes,” Sheldon said. “Everyone’s psyched up to watch the game on Saturday, and so you can feel that campus has a lot of energy.”

Several students said they’re ready to be back in the stands eating Runzas and Fairbury hot dogs while supporting their favorite team.

Another freshman, Demetri Theoharris, said he’s “excited to see the new QB in action and see if the Husker hype is worth it.”