Bring on the bull

Grazing in the shadows of Memorial Stadium during Nebraska's 20-10 victory over Oklahoma, El Toro waited with anticipation for his shot at stardom.

Sure, the mechanical bull, nick-named El Toro, Spanish for "the bull," has punished many riders since moving to Lincoln this summer, but the opportunity to buck off a commentator who picked Oklahoma to win would be special.

The thought of Lee Corso, ESPN's college football analyst and Gameday host, being tossed around like a rag doll sounded like fun to University of Nebraska-Lincoln student Brandon Lechtenberg and his brother Adam.

With Adam's encouragement, Brandon decided to challenge Corso to a bull ride via e-mail. Lechtenberg sent the challenge with little hope for a response.

"I thought that it wouldn't hurt anything to e-mail him, Lechtenberg said. "The worst thing that could happen is no response."

Corso, however, answered the challenge with the headline "Bring on the Mechanical Bull," on his weekly espn.com column "Lee Mail."

With Corso's promise, Lechtenberg and his roommates Dawson Moody, Zach Limbach and Nathan Seidel showed up to the taping of College Gameday with a banner that read "Bring on the Mechanical Bull and the 12th and 'Y' Post Game."

Pumped from the NU victory, Lechtenberg ran back down to the ESPN set to collect on the wager.

"I waited until they got done with their post-game analysis and then I got a few people to start chanting 'Ride the Bull,'" Lechtenberg said. "Corso then took off his headsets and asked who was in charge of the bull, and I said I was."

Corso then asked Lechtenberg to lead him to the bull.

With a couple of state patrol men escorting them over the 10th Street overpass, a big crowd followed them to El Toro's location at 12th and Y streets.

Among those in the crowd was broadcasting student Matt Mast.

"A buddy at the football game told me that Corso was going to ride a mechanical bull," Mast said. "I thought he was full of shit, but I went over there anyway."

Corso, Lechtenberg and the crowd of followers were met with cheers from a crowd of tailgaters who were awaiting Corso's arrival.

Fans started chanting his name, as Corso made his way to El Toro. While mounting the bull, he asked the operator to take it easy on him.

With the operator agreeing, Corso gave a nod, signaling he was ready.

Corso received a couple quick bucks from the bull, causing the commentator to clutch the reins with both hands.

El Toro took mercy on Corso, allowing him to jump off without being thrown off.

"They put a red wig on me, and that bull shook me around so hard the wig came off," Corso said on his Web site. "Some guys were spotting me, but I didn't come close to falling off!"

After the ride, Corso took the opportunity to meet some fans and pose for pictures.

Some fans rubbed their eyes in disbelief, others jumped into line for a bull ride as Corso headed back to Memorial Stadium with his state patrol escort.

"I couldn't believe that he actually showed up," Mast said. "He earned a lot of my respect."

Corso had planned to ride the bull if Nebraska won, since he promised a fan.

"I rode that bull because I gave that kid my word," Corso said.