Brian Rosenthal: Porter takes break from 'Friday Night Lights'
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Scott Porter showed up at Memorial Stadium in a Nebraska ball cap worn backward and a Maurice Purify jersey.
Suffice it to say, he’s been the least-recognized of the celebrities to watch a home Husker football game this season.
Porter, who plays Jason Street on the NBC drama “Friday Night Lights,” attended Saturday’s game against Texas A&M with members of his family.
“I’m going to make it a yearly journey,” said Porter, touring the press box before the game.
Porter was born in Papillion and grew up a Nebraska fan, despite the fact he moved to Florida at age 13. Had he stayed in the Omaha area, he would’ve attended Millard North.
That’s nothing like being a Dillon Panther, though.
“Friday Night Lights” is based on the movie and book by the same name. It focuses on the fictional Dillon High School football team in Texas.
Porter plays the role of Street, the star quarterback who was paralyzed early in season one.
Never mind that Porter, 27, is playing a 17-year-old.
“I’ll take it as long as I can get it,” said Porter, noting most cast members are in their mid-20s. “As long as I can play young, I will.”
Porter took a quick break from filming episode 12 (out of 22) to attend the game. The only other Husker game he’s attended was last year’s Missouri game. His parents were in a rock-n-roll band, making it hard to attend Husker games as a youth.
“We were always out in some saloon on a Friday night,” he said. “So getting back to Lincoln for the game on Saturday was never really an option.”
Porter said he became a Purify fan after watching last year’s Texas-Nebraska game in a bar in Austin. He remembers Purify breaking away for a long touchdown. Porter also was a wide receiver in high school.
“Friday Night Lights” is in its second season. Porter believes the show has a bright future despite the aged-character constraints.
“I don’t think it’s a show that will follow kids to college,” Porter said. “I don’t think it’s a ‘90210.’ We’re a very genuine, honest show. It’s about the town of Dillon, and I think once people leave Dillon, you’re not going to follow them for an extended length of time.”
Porter plans on attending next week’s Husker game in Austin, too.
Getting Sirius
Among the more notable post-Steve Pederson era changes: The old Tunnel Walk.
Fans seemed to appreciate a return to the original version, complete with “Sirius” music from the start and highlights from the gloried past.
Executive assistant athletic director Marc Boehm said he and Rhonda Revelle, senior woman administrator, discussed changes.
“We sat around and said, ‘Hey, what can we do differently?’” Boehm said. “We got approval from Tom (Osborne), and Kirk Hartman did an unbelievable piece.”
Hartman, HuskerVision creative director, focused on highlights to link the past with the present and future. Something to lifts spirits.
“It was the right time to do it,” Boehm said.
Where’s Ganz?
What does backup quarterback Joe Ganz have to do to see a snap these days, anyway?
Ganz hasn’t played quarterback since a lopsided game in the season opener against Nevada.
Speaking of lopsided games … why not give Ganz a look in these already-decided games in the fourth quarter?
Why is Sam Keller still playing?
“He’s the starter, and we don’t want to send the wrong message to our players,” offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. “We want to keep fighting.”
Watson said Ganz has been fine in practice.
“Joe’s been excellent. He’s a consummate team player,” Watson said. “He’s done a good job. He’s been very supportive of Sam and what we’re doing, and he’s really been into the game the whole time.”
Just not in the game. That’s a shame.
Going deep
* The guy whose “Surrender Steve Pederson” sign was confiscated by security last week e-mailed me. Said security told him the sign was too big … then carefully eyed him after further Oklahoma State scores.
* Too bad the film crew for the Jim Carrey movie couldn’t have filmed this balloon launch instead. That’s the most number of balloons I’ve seen released in many years.
* Anyone else think this felt more like homecoming than last week?
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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