Byrne: Don't sweat new uniforms
Says Spandex gusset 'hardly even noticeable'

LINCOLN -- Athletic Director Bill Byrne on Friday eased Cornhusker fans' concerns over Nebraska's new football uniforms, saying that the team's clothing upgrade will consist of only "minor changes" and will be certain to reflect the state's proud tradition.

"Yes, the Spandex gussets will still run up each side of the jersey," Byrne said. "But I want to be very, very clear about this -- people have absolutely no reason to think that the gussets will dominate these new uniforms. I have personally made sure of that."

The jerseys, which are made of a revolutionary two-piece system consisting of a ventilated underjersey layer and a vented, lightweight outer layer for increased breathability, instead will be dominated by embroidered logos of four major athletic department "Jersey Sponsors" -- Runza, Alltel, Pepsi and Chevrolet, he said.

"The Husker football team has long been an ambassador of their state -- a reflection of its citizens, if you will," Byrne said. "And as we all know, business is very, very important to Nebraska. Like the Huskers, our sponsors have a reputation for working hard, being fiercely competitive and, overall, treating their visitors right.

"We Huskers bid each other good tidings with Alltel, enjoy Pepsi and Runzas and drive our Chevrolets religiously. So rest assured, the new outfits will reflect the pride, honor, dignity and work ethic of the Cornhusker State."

Outrage has dominated the Husker Nation since early March, when word got out that sports outfitter adidas would be making significant changes to the Big Red's uniforms. The notion met massive criticism, with a vast majority of the disdain centering on the addition of the one-color Spandex gusset.

Many fans said the uniform gimmick conjured up images of the gaudy gusset-laden uniforms worn by Miami, Brigham Young  and the NFL's Denver Broncos.

But Byrne said he was confident fans will like the Cornhuskers' new logo-laden, subtle-gusset motif.

"We're not going out to play football dressed like the Canes of the Plains. Oh, heavens no, this is still Nebraska, after all," Byrne scoffed. "We've made sure the gussets have only a minimal presence on the jerseys. We don't want them to be too distracting from the rest of the uniform. In particular, we don't want them drawing attention away from the new logos."

Players also got their first look at the new duds Friday. A handful of them tried them on and went through a light workout on Tom Osborne Field. They gave the outfits rave reviews.

"This not only looks and feels great, but this jersey is lighter than any I have worn before," senior split end Wilson Thomas said in a printed statement circulated to reporters, just as the receiver's adidas cleats slid recklessly on some morning dew. "This will keep me as cool as a nice refreshing Diet Pepsi throughout the entire game."

Head Coach Frank Solich said adidas approaches Nebraska almost every year about the possibility of uniform changes, but he generally has been against upgrading the Cornhuskers' traditional look. But his opinion was changed after he examined what has happened for teams the year they make motif changes.

"We had Chris Anderson do some research, and you'd be amazed what she came up with," Solich said, unfolding a piece of paper and reading from it. "In 1981 ... the Cincinnati Bengals updated their uniforms and wound up losing in the championship game. In 1999 ...  the Tennessee Titans changed their uniforms and wound up losing in the championship game. Last year ...  the Rams changed their uniforms, and they eventually wound up losing in the championship game."

Nebraska already was able to lose in the championship game last season despite still wearing their old uniforms, Solich said. Therefore, logic follows that the subtle addition of the new stripes would push the Huskers to the title this year.

"I think the first time they put these jerseys on, they'll see what it's all about -- what playing in Nebraska and for this university is all about," Solich said. "It'll be a motivator."

Willie Amos, one of the players testing out the uniforms, said he has never eaten a Runza and doesn't really understand the fascination Nebraskans have for the traditional delicacy, but said he respects the legacy and impact the company has had on the state.

Besides, the jerseys are pretty cool looking, Amos said.

"A lot of guys (on the team) have tattoos, y'know. But I've been too scared to get one. So some guys have ridden me pretty bad for that," said Amos, a defensive back who also is a world-champion jump-roper. "But wearing all these emblems makes me feel like one of the guys."

Solich noted that the Huskers' helmets -- which have gone unchanged since the late 1960s -- would not be touched. Byrne said, however, that he would entertain any and all offers.

"I'm pretty sure there's still some room for a sponsor between the American flag, the Blackshirt symbol, the numbers and the vertical red stripe," he said.