Iowa Native Describes How Nebraska 'Turned Him Red'

Growing-up in Northeast Iowa, Dwight Hanson never imagined being anything but a Hawkeye fan.  Hanson, 53, a Loras College graduate who grew-up in Monona has spent a lot of time at Kinnick Stadium.

"We go to one Iowa game a year," Hanson, who now lives in Nebraska, said.  "My wife I and I grew up in that area, and I used to go a lot as a kid."

Hanson moved to Omaha, where he now works for a consulting company, more than two decades ago.  What he experienced shortly after the move is something that ought to make many Hawkeye fans cringe.

"Since the mid 80's we slowly became Husker fans, over time." he said.  "If you like good football and it's right in your backyard, it's kind of hard not to."

Much of Hanson's extended family, whom still lives in Iowa, will be joining him at the first ever Big Ten "Heroes Game" on Friday in Lincoln, when the Hawkeyes battle Nebraska for the first time since 2000.

"It'll be fun, it'll be a blast," he said.  "We've got family coming in, so we will have some Hawkeye fans at our house, and some Husker fans at our house."

One of the Husker fans will be Dwight's son, Matt, who has grown-up cheering for Nebraska.

"I'm going to be outnumbered Iowa fans to Nebraska fans," Matt Hanson said.  "We'll represent and keep it red."

Nebraska holds a 26-12-2 series lead over the Hawkeyes dating back to their first meeting in 1891, a game which Iowa won 22-0.