By Brian Rosenthal / Huskers.com
The newcomer in the all-white Nebraska football uniform paced around the locker room minutes before Saturday’s annual Spring Game.
When he sat down, his legs would shake and bounce.
Clearly, nerves took control.
Minutes later, he would experience his first Tunnel Walk entrance with another rookie, freshman quarterback Tristin Gebbia, who also had never participated in this honored Husker pregame ritual.
“So much emotion,” said Matthew Hawke, who’d squeezed into a jersey for the first time in some 20 years.
“I admire how these guys get dressed every week,” Hawke said, smiling, “because this was a process.