Matt O'Brien's journey in life has taken him to Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army Specialist. This weekend he's back in Nebraska preparing for the NU-USC game thanks to the generosity of others.

O'Brien was the subject of an ESPN story on the Internet. It detailed his struggles and his visit to the Nebraska game at Wake Forest last weekend.

He has been undergoing medical treatment in North Carolina for a mysterious eye condition contracted in Afghanistan.

O'Brien says, "Everything started exploding. People are calling in -- 'we can get you flown down there,' you know -- tickets, real nice hotel, and a limo that will pick you up and take you to the game."

O'Brien picked up tickets Friday night for his first Husker game at Memorial Stadium. They were a gift from Mike Barges of Omaha.

Mike says, "This kid, he's an American hero. And it just kind of touched my heart. If I can do something for him, I will."

Because Barges brought two tickets, O'Brien can bring his mother Terri along.

She says, "That just shows he has an incredible amount of character and a very big heart."

After this generous support O'Brien said he really only needed one thing.

"I'm excited to see Nebraska hopefully upset USC tomorrow," he said.

Matt's father won't be able to attend the game. He's currently serving in Iraq with one of O'Brien's three brothers.

This isn't the first time Matt O'Brien has tackled a problem. Six-years-ago, at the age of 16, he beat cancer. He was even undergoing chemo while he was a kicker on this high school football team.