Boerkircher brothers relish first on-field experience

Nebraska’s win Saturday over FCS Fordham will be long forgotten by many. While it was a much-needed win for a confidence-starved group, it just won’t register for most fans. 
However, Nebraska’s 52-7 win over Fordham will be remembered for a long time by the Boerkircher brothers. 
Saturday was the first in a lot of categories for former Huskies Ian and Nate Boerkircher. 
It was the first time either of them had suited up and played in front of a jam-packed Memorial Stadium on a sun-splashed late-summer afternoon. 
It was the first time either of them felt those goosebumps, walking through the tunnel with “Sirius” blaring in their ears and fans lining the walkway from the locker room to the field entrance on the northwest side. 
It was also the first time either of them entered the game to play in front of their friends, family and Husker faithful -- a dream come true for both. 
The Boerkircher brothers were gathered amongst their family in the shadow of the Tom Osborne and Brook Berringer statute on the north side, relishing the moment for each of them. 
“That was a great experience,” Nate noted. “We knew beforehand that there was a possibility (to play) with the opponent we were facing, but it was a great opportunity.”
“Today was a great experience too,” Ian said. “The first tunnel walk experience for Nate and I and we both got into the game, which is really cool.”
In what possibly could have been the lowest point of my sportswriting career, I nearly missed the first snaps of both Boerkircher brothers. 
Whoops.
Nate’s first snaps came on one of Nebraska’s scoring drives in the third quarter. 
The Huskers had entered the red zone and were looking to bully their way in for another score, which would eventually extend its lead to 31-7. 
I was positioned perfectly in the end zone, hoping for what could have been Austin Allen’s first touchdown catch of the season. 
There are times where I get so locked in to what Oz is doing on field, I forget there are 21 other players on the field. 
That’s when I heard Oz:
“Nate!”
What?
I panicked, because I immediately knew who Nate was and what Oz’s one word shout meant. 
Somewhere, Nate Boerkircher is lined up for his first-ever snap as a Husker. 
That’s when I spotted No. 49 in red. I found out later from Oz himself that he was helping Nate get lined up in the proper spot. Just another reason why Oz was voted a captain. 
Oz, who has had plenty of his own on-field moments, like his four receptions for 61 yards Saturday, was happy to see guys like Ian and Nate get their first taste. 
“I’m proud of the way those guys went out and played,” Oz said of all the younger Husker players. “Our second team went out and put points on the board. That has to give us confidence. I’m proud of those guys.”
Nate got word from his coaches that he would be going into the game on the next offensive drive during the third quarter, and a few butterflies set in.
“I was really nervous,” Nate said with a smile. “They told me I would be going in on the next drive and once I got in there, it was easy to focus and execute.”
On those last few plays before another Husker score, Austin and Nate were on the field at the same time, blocking and running routes for the Big Red. 
Not long after that, Ian walked on the field as part of the extra point group, lining up on the opposite side of the formation from Oz. 
However, those snaps for Ian against Fordham weren’t his first for the Huskers. 
Those came a week prior. 
The week of the Illinois game, Ian had a talk with assistant coach Greg Austin, who told him that because of Ian’s hard work throughout fall camp, he was being rewarded with a spot on the travel roster. 
“The first thing I did was call my parents and share that moment with them,” Ian noted. “It was really cool.”
Not only was Ian going to travel, but he was part of the extra point/field goal formation. 
Again, I missed this the first time around. 
It wasn’t until the following Monday I saw Ian was on the participation sheet and I was floored. I didn’t remember seeing him on the field at all. 
Against my better judgement, I went back and watched the Illinois game again. This time, though, I found No. 58 on the field. 
“It was obviously a dream come true,” Ian reported of his snaps in Illinois. “I go from not even having a tunnel walk experience to traveling with the team and getting out there. It was really cool.”
All three former Huskies were on Nebraska’s travel roster to Illinois. All three shared the experience and despite it not being a trip to Ireland, it was special nonetheless. 
“It was an incredible experience because for one, Ian got to travel as well so that was awesome for both of us as well as Oz,” Nate explained. “Running out of the tunnel at Illinois and getting booed, honestly that was incredible. I liked that but it doesn’t compare to playing here with the fans we have.”
The Illinois experience was fun for the Boerkirchers, but nothing will top their first home game in Memorial Stadium. 
“I hate to say it again, but today was a dream come true, being a kid from Aurora and it’s something I’ve always dreamt about,” Ian said. “It’s funny. I feel like I can hardly remember the feeling because you’re so excited and overwhelmed through it all. Sharing the field with Nate was just too cool.”
Both Boerkircher brothers grew up wearing Nebraska jerseys, hoping one day they could wear a real one and play the great game of football in front of a packed crowd. 
“With the fans today, my first tunnel walk in front of the greatest fans in the nation, there’s nothing better,” Nate said. “That’s all I can say. There’s nothing better.”
Ian has spent a majority of his time learning the roles of the tackle position of the offensive line, but also has gotten used to both the right and left sides.
So much so that at this point, he could comfortably play either if necessary. 
“I’m a very goal-driven person so the next step for me is to work my way up the depth chart on the line,” Ian said. “Maybe I can get into the second string spot. I’ll let those things take care of themselves.”
Nate was probably a bit hard on himself giving a grade on his performance, but he learned that from Oz, surely. They’re always looking to improve and get better. 
That’s the key. And things don’t get any easier from here. 
While he was close on Saturday, Nate wasn’t targeted on any passes. Now that he’s been in the game, catching one is a new target. 
“The number one thing for me right now is to get better,” Nate said. “I also think it would be pretty cool to have a catch.”
Without the reception, Saturday was a pretty cool birthday present for Nate. Surely not a day he, or Ian, will forget. 
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.