Husker fans taking new Memorial Stadium rules in stride

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Ahead of the Huskers’ first home game of the season, fans won’t let the new rules at Memorial Stadium slow down their excitement.

Many fans stocking up on game day gear at Rally House on Friday said the first game is all about tradition, but they welcomed some changes.

“I know there’s a lot of changes getting implemented, but the Huskers believe in tradition and honoring the past,” Troy Medina said. “I feel like it’s time we take in some of the other aspects of college football. I’m pretty excited for the new changes.”

Some of the changes will be the introduction of alcohol to the stadium.

Guests are limited to two drinks per purchase, and concessions will stop selling alcohol at the start of the third quarter.

The manager of Rally House, Joey Rupp, said she’s seeing the same energy from fans that she’s seen for the past 11 years.

“Traffic is starting to pick up down here to get stuff so they don’t have to come in on game day,” she said. “They’re buying everything from hats to jerseys — just anything they can get to make their game day better.”

But there are signs of the new changes at her merch store.

“Not necessarily seeing much cozies going out because there will be alcohol in the stadium,” she said.

Fans should take the new no-reentry policy into account. Once your ticket is scanned, leaving the venue makes that ticket invalid.

Some fans don’t mind this update.

“The no reentry is OK because you’re there for the game,” Medina said. “Might as well stay and enjoy it.”

Other fans said it’s just a way to keep game day revenue in Memorial Stadium, but they welcome the new Cornhusker Kickoff pregame party at the Hawks Championship Center.