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There aren't many things worth driving 28 hours in three days for, but Saturday's game was one of them.
Nebraska's 28-27 win over Texas A&M looked like a blowout, then an epic collapse and finally a thrilling win in the final seconds in a hostile environment.
On top of that, the game clinched Nebraska's first Big 12 North Division title since 1999 and probably a rematch with Texas, a team the Cornhuskers should have beaten a few weeks ago in Lincoln.
Specifically, it was a big day for NU quarterback Zac Taylor, who got off to a hot start, struggled down the stretch, then gathered the offense just in time for what is already being called "The Drive."
Taylor's touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Maurice Purify was the second-straight play NU threw to Purify on a fade route, but the senior overthrew his receiver, setting up what looked like a fourth-and-10 situation from the A&M 17 yard-line.
Instead, a roughing the passer penalty set up the Huskers for maybe their most exciting comeback win since they eeked past Kansas State 27-25 one year ago on a 40-yard Jordan Congdon field goal in the final minutes.
"Honestly, I wouldn't have wanted to win this game any other way," Taylor said of the dramatic finish. "If you'd have told me we were going to win by 17 points or win it on the last play of the game, I'd probably choose the last play of the game.
"It's something that everybody's going to remember, and for the seniors who have been here for four or five years, it's a great chance for them to end with a shot at a championship."
Taylor threw what looked like a game-ending interception with 4:38 left in the game, but when the Huskers blocked a potential game-clinching field goal, the senior calmly guided NU down the field for the win, completing five critical passes to score with just 21 seconds remaining.
Taylor broke Nebraska records for touchdown passes in a season and career passing yards when he found sophomore wide receiver Todd Peterson for a four-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter.
"It's a great honor to be mentioned with guys who held records before me, and I don't think they'll stand for very long," Taylor said. "But it is a good honor."
You know what else is a good honor?
Actually beating a South Division team not named Baylor on the road for the first time since Nebraska beat A&M at College Station in 2002.
Despite the two-straight wins at Kyle Field, though, I can personally attest it is not an easy venue to play in.
The swaying of the crowd of 80,000-plus performed at different times during the game was not only dizzying. It physically shook the press box we media folk were in.
And during Nebraska's final drive, the deafening roar from the sideline coupled with the swirling towels made for quite the environment.
Oh, and former U.S. President George H.W. Bush actually asked how I was doing when we passed each other on the ground level before the game, but that's beside the point.
The point is what a fun day it was for anyone who wears Husker red, and that especially included Taylor when he made all the right decisions in helping NU punch its ticket to Kansas City for a shot at a conference title.
"It's the most fun I've ever had," Taylor said. "It's definitely the greatest feeling, and it's the most fun I've ever had in a single drive playing football."
Even better for Nebraska, it can now take a much-needed week off to heal some bumps and bruises before taking on rival Colorado on the Friday after Thanksgiving with essentially nothing but bowl status and pride on the line.
For the Huskers, that kind of peace of mind was worth the trip, even if they did get to fly.
