🏈 Nebraska takes commanding lead in spring game attendance

[Bamabww]

Posted by Kevin McGuire on April 11, 2015, 3:22 PM

As expected, the spring game at Nebraska this year was a well-attended event. The Huskers claimed a crowd of 76,881 showed up in Lincoln to watch Mike Riley make his Nebraska debut. The attendance is clearly the highest spring game attendance figure of the spring so far, and only a few challengers will stand a chance to beat it by the end of the month.

Nebraska knocked off fellow Big Ten member Michigan from the top spot in the spring attendance numbers. The Wolverines welcomed an estimated 60,000 fans to Michigan Stadium last week, which was the largest spring crowd in Ann Arbor in over two decades. Nebraska traditionally draws well for the spring game, so the big crowd was no shock. But can the Huskers hold off big spring crowds from other notable programs to take the spring attendance crown in 2015?


The biggest threats to Nebraska's crown come from the Big Ten and the SEC. Expect a big crowd for defending national champion Ohio State. The Buckeyes saw 61,058 fans last year and could see a nice championship bump this spring. Penn State tends to draw well (72,000 last spring) but weather could have other plans.

Last year's spring champion was Alabama, with 73,506 on hand. Auburn and Tennessee could make a run as well.

As a reminder, the updated spring attendance numbers and estimates will be updated here as they come in or are confirmed.

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Today's attendance: 76,881. There is #NoPlace like Nebraska. #GBR pic.twitter.com/nVaUzlBKTb




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Mitch Sherman ‏@mitchsherman51m51 minutes ago




Mike Riley on spring-game crowd: "We think we have the greatest fans in college football, and I think they're out to prove it all the time."



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Stewart MandelVerified account þ@slmandel24m24 minutes ago




Slightly smaller crowd than Nebraska's at Stanford's spring game. @slmandel

 

[BamaFan334]

How pathetic is that, Stanford.

 

[sean]

you know, i don't remember EVER hearing anything about spring football game attendance numbers until sometime after 2007.....WHEN WE PACKED THE FREAKIN' HOUSE!!!!!

76,881? that's still lower than one of our lowest in recent history.

here are our numbers since Coach Saban has been at the helm:

2007: 92,138
2008: 78,200
2009: 84,050
2010: 91,312
2011: 92,310
2012: 78,526
2013: 78,315
2014: 84,979

i also remember in 2008, after they released the official number of our attendance, how the media was asking what's wrong at ALABAMA and why the numbers were so low for the spring game. that's when the media started in on the numbers.

 

[planomateo]

Hiring Riley got 76k in the stands (40% increase), Pelini averaged 54k. What would Faux Pelini put in the stands is what I'm left wondering?

Tickets are free for students, $5 for UNL faculty, $10 for reserved seats, and $15 (limit club seats) and you get 2 free youth tickets per paid ticket.

What else is there to do in Lincoln, surely they can fill that stadium for a spring game and a new coach. 24k students enrolled, city population of 250k. Why didn't they sell out and get 81k?

You always hear that Nebraskans are serious about football...not impressed

Michigan only got 60k after hiring their man, embarrassing.

 

[bama alum]

How pathetic is that, Stanford.

No kidding! Even Jax St. had 4,000+.

Bama has a real QB battle going. Attendance will probably surpass 80K, esp. since this will not be aired on tv this year. Right? :headscratch:

 

[BamaFan334]

Hiring Riley got 76k in the stands (40% increase), Pelini averaged 54k. What would Faux Pelini put in the stands is what I'm left wondering?

Tickets are free for students, $5 for UNL faculty, $10 for reserved seats, and $15 (limit club seats) and you get 2 free youth tickets per paid ticket.

What else is there to do in Lincoln, surely they can fill that stadium for a spring game and a new coach. 24k students enrolled, city population of 250k. Why didn't they sell out and get 81k?

You always hear that Nebraskans are serious about football...not impressed

Michigan only got 60k after hiring their man, embarrassing.

I completely agree. I'm not buying this as a "turn around" or anything else kind of sorts. A one year blip doesn't mean you're the most serious fans or biggest college football town in America. I have no doubt Nebraska fans love their football, but there are countless towns that live their football. It's going a step or two above that level that show true obligation and support of another level. I'm not impressed.

 

[planomateo]

No kidding! Even Jax St. had 4,000+.

Bama has a real QB battle going. Attendance will probably surpass 80K, esp. since this will not be aired on tv this year. Right? :headscratch:

Strange, its SEC Network+ which I believe means online via ESPN360.

 

[XXL TideFan]

Not on tv!? You're freakin' kiddin' me...

 

[bama alum]

Last I heard, ESPN was carrying neither Bama nor the barn's spring game.

 

[BamaFan334]

I thought I saw where it was going to show clips during the game on the SEc Network and then the full thing at like 4.

 

[riz]

Nebraska is going to be so let down...