OFF THE WALL It appears NW We Stink State was not available

We just couldn’t let this stuff go …

The Nebraska athletic department acknowledged Friday that it explored the possibility of backing out of this fall’s game at Oklahoma before ultimately deciding to go ahead with it, writes Eric Olson of The Associated Press.

The game is Sept. 18 in Norman, Okla., and will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Game of the Century, Nebraska’s 35-31 win over the Sooners in a clash of the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the nation.

According to unidentified sources who spoke to Stadium, the Huskers contacted teams in the Mid-American Conference and Old Dominion about playing in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sept. 18. The Lincoln Journal Star also reported Nebraska officials explored the feasibility of not playing the Sooners.

The news created a firestorm among Cornhuskers fans, many of whom railed on social media about the Huskers being afraid to play the game against their old rival. Johnny Rodgers, the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner who starred in the 1971 game, said, “We can’t really afford to have a reputation like that, trying to get out of playing top teams.”

Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos said in a statement that the Huskers look forward to playing the Sooners.

“Due to the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to Husker Athletics and the local community, our administration did explore the possibility of adding an eighth home game this fall,” Moos said. “That option would have helped us mitigate cost-cutting measures and provide a muchneeded boost to our local economy. Ultimately, the decision was made to move forward with our game at Oklahoma in 2021 ...”

It would have cost Nebraska $1 million to break the contract, which was signed in 2012. The teams also are scheduled to meet in Lincoln in 2022.

Prior to Moos’ statement, Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione issued a statement saying the Sooners plan to play.

“The Oklahoma-Nebraska football series represents one of the most unique traditional rivalries in college football,” Castiglione said. “The planning for this game was intentional as we mark the 50th anniversary of the Game of the Century.”

Trivia question

Belated happy birthday to former Padres center fielder Steve Finley, who turned 56 on Friday. Finley is a member of the 300-300 club— 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases in a career — a rare blend of speed and power. How rare? Only seven other players have accomplished the feat. How many can you name?