Lincoln -- Tired of his old clothes and accessories, Herbie Husker went shopping. "Herbie has undergone a rigorous exercise routine, resulting in a loss of 70 pounds of fat and had an increase of 50 pounds in muscle mass and his clothes didn?t fit too well any more," said Boyd Epley, Nebraska Director of Athletic Performance. "He has gotten his hair cut and now wants to put the finishing touches on his new look. So, he went shopping."

Herbie and a few of his mascot friends, ?Lil Red and Homer the Lincoln Saltdogs mascot, tried on everything from new shirts, jeans, hats, boots and gloves. The new boots were mandatory after Homer chewed Herbie?s his size 17 tennis shoes.

Athletic Director Steve Pederson put Herbie on a strict regimen on Feb. 11. The 30-year old mascot has agreed to do his part to get in playing shape, so that he is able to more effectively entertain Husker fans at events. The conditioning plan will update Herbie's physical appearance, so that he will be a mascot that fits the Nebraska image of strength and power.

The next Herbie Husker Report will be issued the first week of June.