

Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska athletic director Bill is confident the Huskers will allow for full capacity at home games in the fall.
Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos on Tuesday evening reiterated his expectation that Memorial Stadium will be cleared for full capacity at home football games this fall and said he’s confident the 50-plus year sellout streak will continue.
Moos, during his monthly appearance on the “Sports Nightly” radio program, said season-ticket renewals, which were distributed a couple of weeks ago, are currently around 90%.
That number is slightly below past years before the pandemic, but clearly still very strong.
“We’re tracking right now and we’re having very, very good numbers in regards to season-ticket renewals,” Moos said.
Nebraska may end up taking some people from a waiting list who become eligible for season tickets that others have decided not to renew, but those are expected to be sold quickly.
“We’re fast approaching that,” Moos said. “We’re up into the 90% renewal (rate), so those who want to get on that list should be doing it right away because, like I said, we have every intention of selling Memorial Stadium out again and to keep that sellout streak active.
“Our fans need to be on top of this. Get those renewals done and those who may not have been fortunate enough to have a chance to enjoy Husker football because of the inability to get a season ticket need to get on that list right away.”
Fans who had season tickets in 2019 had the opportunity to roll their payments forward last year when the Big Ten mandated that only family and friends be allowed into stadiums because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The full capacity this fall does not come as a surprise now, given Lancaster County’s move back to “green” on the COVID-19 risk dial, the end of the local mask mandate and also the fact that Garth Brooks sold 83,600 tickets for an Aug. 14 concert at Memorial Stadium.
“Now it looks like we’re going to be able to have 100% capacity this fall and I have every reason to believe the sellout streak will continue,” Moos said.
One thing that is not going to happen any time soon, according to Moos, is introducing alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium. It’s unclear exactly what will happen for the Brooks concert, but Moos said it “isn’t on the table right now” as it pertains to home football games.
“As you’re becoming aware, that’s becoming the trend more and more,” Moos added. “Literally every major college football game in the country is on live television. We’ve got to continue to explore ways to entertain our fans and make them want to be here. Of course, the scoreboard is a big part of that, and by that I mean success on the field. But we also need to continue, and we are, exploring what we’re doing beforehand, halftime and afterwards and, as you’re referring to, during the game itself.
“I don’t rule it out, but it’s not front and center as we speak right now.”
Ireland a competitive advantage? In addition to being a unique experience for Nebraska football coaches and players and Husker fans, Moos said he thinks playing Northwestern in Dublin can also lead to a competitive advantage for Scott Frost’s program.
“It’s a great opportunity for our student-athletes and for our fans, but as it plays out, we have not had good success in Evanston since Scott has been here. We’ve lost twice up there,” Moos said. “Now we take that Northwestern home game and we make that a Nebraska home game because I just know we will outnumber their fans over there and that stadium will be red, and that plays in our favor.”
Moos also pointed out that the bye in the week originally slated for Northwestern (Oct. 8) means the Huskers will have off weeks before road trips to Michigan (Oct. 15) and also Wisconsin (Nov. 5).
“Two tough road games, late in the season when you’re chipped up and tired and really drawing on the depth of your roster, it really gives us a good chance to catch our breath and hopefully we’ll be in the running for that Big Ten West title and this really plays in well in that regard, too.
“Everything lays out really nicely.”
Photos: Our favorite staff images from the 2020 Nebraska football season
Illinois’ Alec McEachern (46) and Nebraska’s Niko Cooper (32) reach for a fumble on a kickoff return in the second quarter Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws an interception under pressure from Illinois’ Khalan Tolson (45) in the first quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and Cam Taylor-Britt (5) walk off the field after the Huskers’ 41-23 loss to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey gets his helmet twisted around by Illinois’ Roderick Perry (96) in the second half Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is lifted up by teammate Bryce Benhart after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers onto the field to take on Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (7) celebrates his second-quarter interception with teammate Cam Taylor-Britt against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa’s Terry Roberts (22) dives on a fumbled punt return by Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (5) in the fourth quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras gets off a third-quarter pass as Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson (44) and Luke Reimer (28) pressure him Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska’s Wan’Dale Robinson rushes against Iowa’s Jack Campbell (31) in the second half Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez reaches for the high snap in the first quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out to the field against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws under pressure from Iowa’s Joe Evans (13) in the second quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and the Husker offensive line push toward the goal line on Martinez’s 1-yard touchdown run against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with his players during a first-half timeout against Iowa last November at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) gets pressured by Nebraska’s Ben Stille on a fourth-down play, throwing an incomplete pass to turn it over to the Huskers in the final moments of the game Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Luke McCaffrey (7) and Wan’Dale Robinson (1) celebrate after the Huskers’ win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford. Williams recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford before recovering the fumble and returning it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (right) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (left) to give the Huskers the ball on downs in the fourth quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Ben Stille (95) and Ty Robinson walk off the field after the Huskers’ 30-23 win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp sends a ball through the uprights for a fourth-quarter field goal against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Will Honas (3) tackles Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth (87) in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost instructs the team during a timeout on Nov. 14, 2020, against Penn State at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) gets the snap from center Cameron Jurgens (51) as running back Ronald Thompkins (25) and Ethan Piper look to block against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (5) runs back a punt as he avoids the tackle of Penn State’s Daequan Hardy in the first half Nov. 14 at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. Williams recovered the fumble and scored.
Nebraska’s Noa Pola-Gates (facing) hugs senior Marquel Dismuke (9) after the Huskers’ 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska senior Dicaprio Bootle (7) hugs fellow senior Marquel Dismuke (left) as JoJo Domann looks on after the Huskers’ 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
A third-quarter pass from Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is batted by Minnesota’s Rashad Cheney on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Protected by the offensive line, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) has the time to throw in the second quarter against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out onto a nearly empty stadium before taking on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (left) defends a pass intended for Penn State’s Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (95) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska fan cutouts are a backdrop for the consecutive sellout sign on Saturday at Memorial Stadium during a Nov. 14, 2020, game against Penn State.
Nebraska safety Myles Farmer (left) is flagged for a facemask call against Illinois’ Donny Navarro (86) in the third quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
A worker waits to release balloons after the first Nebraska touchdown against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with junior quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) on the sideline in the third quarter against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
A security guard watches the field among snow-covered cardboard cutouts before a Nebraska-Minnesota football game on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska family members look for their seats before the Huskers host Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen (second right) celebrates his second-quarter TD with teammates against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Austin Allen celebrates his touchdown catch with Brenden Jaimes and Ethan Piper against Minnesota on Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost sends quarterback Adrian Martinez back into the game against Minnesota in the second quarter Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost greets Huskers captain Matt Farniok (71) during Senior Day festivities before the Minnesota game Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska football team is planning to open its April 17 practice to 4,000 fans.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.