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Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Communications
Football

It's Finally Time to Get Back on the Field

N Our Voice By Dicaprio Bootle

No days off! 

That’s been our mentality throughout the entire process while the powers that be decided whether we were going to play football or not. 

As a senior, there was a part of me wondering if I’d ever be able to play college football again. There was always that bit of uneasiness when preparing for a season that was up in the air. 

But hey, that's all a matter of the past. Let’s focus on the here and now.

Getting back out there to represent the Huskers one more time and finish this chapter of my story is a moment I’ve been waiting for all summer.

Now that it’s here, I’ll go enjoy every second of it. Trust me.

The Grind

 

No matter what was going to happen this fall, for us, the work never stopped.

There was always optimism in our locker room that this day would eventually come. And man, that energy was contagious. For real!

We were always hopeful we’d get to throw on the pads and go to battle this calendar year. So, once the news hit, our mentality didn't have to change. 

We were already ready to go.

It was business as usual.

The only difference is that now we know something is in front of us. There’s a real opponent out there right now preparing to beat us. And believe me when I say, we do the exact same here. 

Considering everything that’s happened, how could we not be hyped to go on the road and play Ohio State? The goosebumps and excitement—it’s all there, man.

I’m just glad to be surrounded by a group of guys that never eased off the gas. It was full steam ahead from day one. Screw the speculation and rumors. Everyone in our locker room took every practice seriously with the faith that this thing might come back around.

And here we are.

Things have obviously changed with Covid-19 still factoring into things, but honestly, I’ve always felt like we’re in the safest environment possible here.

The school is literally doing everything it can to ensure safety for us players, coaches, and everyone else on campus. Basically, it's a daily protocol of getting our temperatures checked, washing our hands, practicing social distancing, putting on masks, getting tested, and many other things. 

Honestly, I don't think we could be in any safer space. 

We’re even taught how to handle ourselves outside of the building to avoid putting anybody else at risk. The staff at Nebraska is dotting its I’s and crossing the T’s. All we can do is have faith in the process—just hold up on our individual ends so that we can do what we all long for - play football.

Putting It All on the Line

 

After being nominated a captain for this season, I’m doing everything in my power to help get the message across. My teammates inspire me to be better, and it's my responsibility to do the same to them.

That’s how we roll here at Nebraska.

We look out for each other. We are there for one another. All day, every day.

It means a lot to me that I’m someone the guys can look to and depend on to put the team first. 

You see, there was a time in my life when I wasn’t even sure if I’d have an opportunity to play college football. Being now in a position to lead means a lot to me.

My goal this year is to show my brothers the right way on and off the field. I want to be somebody that takes on the challenge and goes out there to do the tough jobs to help the team win games. 

I’m ready to put it all on the line. And so are my teammates.

Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

 

Since the very beginning, I’ve always taken this college opportunity as a chance to spread my wings and find my own way in life. I knew some school out there would take a shot on me if I put in the work.

I’ll admit I was shocked when I made the connection with Nebraska. It was surreal knowing I’d be suiting up for the same team I watched on television on Saturdays as a kid. 

Leaving home was uncharted territory for me, and I always believed I could maximize my potential for growth by making myself uncomfortable.

One of the many reasons why I chose Nebraska.

I’m challenged on a daily basis by my coaches and teammates, and man, I love that. Those challenges help mold me into the man I want to be. 

At first, when I wasn’t getting much playing time, for example, you just do what you can to prepare for that moment when your number gets called. I can’t tell you the amount of times I was standing on the sidelines with a clean jersey and just making myself a student of the game. 

When you’re a young kid, those moments can be frustrating. Even discouraging. It was important to have the right mindset and the Huskers helped me develop that.

They took me in when I was just a kid with a dream of playing college football.

Now, more than ever, I’m ready to return the favor.

Getting Ready

 

With the season opener against Ohio State ahead of us, the excitement is at an all-time high. We have to focus right now and carry everything we’ve worked on this summer into game day. All of the determination in the weight room, sleepless nights studying plays, and the work on the field was in preparation for this moment.

It’s us against them.

I’m just beyond grateful that God has given me an opportunity to end my collegiate career on my own terms, and to have my family watch my senior year. It means the world to me.

You see, I sometimes reminisce where I came from and how it all started. I even remember my first play as a Husker—a tackle on a screen pass in front of a packed Memorial Stadium against Arkansas State. 

The journey means something to me and getting to experience another chapter is hard to put into words. 

I can’t wait to get out there Saturday.

And rest assured, Husker fans, neither can my teammates. 

Go Big Red!