Purdue football's Ryan Walters grew up hating Nebraska, now coaching against Cornhuskers
WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue football coach Ryan Walters didn't need anything extra to amp him up out of a bye week.
What's ahead on the schedule, a road game at Nebraska, was more than enough.
Walters grew up a fan of Colorado, where his father played and where Walters later played from 2005-08.
Back in the Big 12 glory days, the Nebraska-Colorado rivalry was as big as it got.
"My history with Nebraska started at a very young age," Walters said. "Obviously I grew up a fan of Colorado, with my dad playing there, and that was the hated rivalry."
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As a coach, Walters was able to remove himself from that disdain.
Until 2021.
"My first season at Illinois (as defensive coordinator), I just remember them running out of the tunnel in Champaign and the feelings come right back," Walters said. "Man, I really can't stand that color. Don't like that 'N' on the helmet. So definitely, this has been a big week."
Walters has been on the winning side against Nebraska three times.
While playing at Colorado, Walters' teams lost to the Cornhuskers in 2005 and '06.
In 2007, Walters recorded seven tackles, a pass breakup and forced a fumble in Colorado's 65-51 victory.
As defensive coordinator for the Illini the past two seasons, Walters is 2-0 against the team he grew up rooting against.
Illinois won 30-22 in 2021 and 26-9 last season at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium.
Purdue comes off a bye in desperate need of a win.
Walters said Monday with five games left, and needing four victories to become bowl eligible, that the Boilermakers are in "playoff mode."
To get on track, Purdue will have to win in one of college football's most hostile environments.
"We've explained to the guys just how crazy it gets out there," Walters said. "They are diehard fans win, lose or draw. So we're really looking forward to a great venue to play competitive and tough football."
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue's Walters grew up hating Nebraska, now coaching against Huskers
