There's been a big change as far as who is on the field for the Holiday Bowl Wednesday. But don't worry, it doesn't include any players or coaches. The Lincoln Southeast Knights Band has been called up to fill in for the Cornhusker Marching Band for the bowl game.

It happens in sports all the time: the starter goes down, the back-up gets the call to be the hero - and so it is with the Holiday Bowl - only it's not players, but bands.

Mother Nature effectively took the Cornhusker Marching Band out of the game by stranding the group in Lincoln. But Lincoln Southeast's Marching Band made it and Monday they got the call from UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman - they are in.

"I think we're nervous and excited," said Lincoln Southeast Band Director R.J. Metteer. "There's a lot of Southeast band alums in the Cornhusker Marching Band. I feel bad for those kids not getting the chance to do this but for our kids it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we're going to do our best."

It's a big honor for the band, but also a big responsibility. They are picking up the load the Cornhusker Marching Band would have carried including pregame, postgame and half-time festivities, and then some - not to mention they have to learn the Husker routine, and fast.

"We learned the music yesterday (Monday). We're going to play some of the Husker music. We're going to play Hail Varsity, There is No Place like Nebraska and March of the Cornhusker. We're going to spend an hour today (Tuesday) learning a bit of drill of how to make an N on the field so it is exciting but also busy. It is a challenge. I think when it all shakes out we will have given up approximately four hours of our trip time to do the Husker kind of stuff, but I don't really think that's an issue. I think everyone is just excited to get to do it."

It's the Cinderella story of the bowl season and the underdogs are ready to step up. While there may never be a movie made from their experience, you can bet it will be one these band members will tell for years to come.

The Knights have a busy couple of days ahead. Tuesday they have rehearsal, a pep rally, another rehearsal for marching and then Sea World. Wednesday it's the Holiday Bowl parade and the bowl game. On Thursday, the band goes to Disneyland for a New Year's Eve parade.