Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, September 17, 2013

Nebraska could use some good news after the last couple of days, and here's something everyone can feel good about: South Dakota State's coaching staff is expected to wear hats Saturday in support of Jack Hoffman, the young Nebraska fan who is battling brain cancer.

[ MORE: Hear Pelini address audio recording | Reaction to Pelini tape | Pelini offers apology ]

By now, most Big Ten fans know Hoffman's story. We first heard about the young Huskers fan last season, when then-Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead formed a special friendship with him. Then, this spring, Hoffman, decked out in a Nebraska uniform, ran for a long touchdown in the Red-White Game.

The video, of course, went viral, and Hoffman became a hero. He had a drawing made of him. He was given his own Upper Deck trading card. He met the President. And, he went on to win an ESPY.

Why did the Jackrabbits decide to do the classy gesture? Well, according to @HuskerExtraBR, Hoffman's parents, Andy and Bri, both went to South Dakota State.

[ MORE: Follow @TeamJackHoffman on Twitter! ]

Nebraska hosts South Dakota State at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on BTN/BTN2Go.

Here's our 2012 feature on Hoffman:

About Brent Yarina BTN.com senior editor Brent Yarina covers football and men's basketball for BTN.com. He writes the popular uniform feature "Clothes Call," which also focuses on the latest cosmetic changes across Big Ten arenas and stadiums. Read all of his work here. You can subscribe to Yarina's RSS feed and follow him on Twitter @BTNBrentYarina.