RU Bru'in Up Plans to Rebound vs UCLA

The Scarlet Knights laid a huge egg after members of BREP Nation gave 110% for a wonderful Roxxarmadatoberfest tailgate on a beautiful autumn afternoon. 

Wisconsin pulvarized Rutgers in a game that wasn't even as close as 42-7 and has a long way to go to B1G respectability; maybe the transfer quarterback will make some accurate throws this week and the WRs will do their jobs as Rutgers hosts new conference member UCLA on Saturday at noon. 

Let's assume the normal 9 a.m. meeting time and more banner weather (sunny, high 68) and use the comments below for roll call and what everyone's contributing.

If we keep with the opponents' regional food theme, Mexican is very much the vibe -- among the ideas kicked around briefly at last week's tailgate and that Dana brought up by text: tacos (fish, carnitas, egg and chorizo some options), street corn, chilaquiles bullshit, sushi, and chili cheese dogs.

Everyone please weigh in on headcount and food preference(s). I can make just about anything but will wait on opinions before buying needed items. 

FYI that I have my curling league opener on Friday night with me and 7 scorching hot Canadian women. Sorry Pete, only club members have that privilege. Sucks for you!

'Scarlet Out' as RU Hosts Wisconsin

Rutgers looks to get back on track on Saturday at noon vs. Wisconsin at Oh Shi* Stadium after a frustrating 14-7 loss at Nebraska.

The Scarlet Knights are 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the B1G. The Badgers have the same conference record and are 3-2 overall.

From the text chain it seems people are on board with Oktoberfest(ish) themes, though with a few people away this weekend and based on busy schedules, we'll do the best we can. 

As of this writing, Pete's bringing three varieties of Kringle danish straight from Racine, Wisconsin, plus LeGrand Bourbon; Andrea's offered a batch of Sloppy Joe from the Burks; and Bill's drumming up potato pancakes plus sour cream and apple sauce to go with those. Bill also bringing plates and utensils. 

Let's get on with the roll call for who's attending the 9 a.m. black lot tailgate and Saturday's game. 

Please use the comments to say what you're bringing. 

If in need of ideas, soft pretzels and brats/kielbasa/sausage would round out the menu well. Grill can be bought to handle meats. Else the sloppies and potato pancakes can go on sternos.

Weather looks fantastic. Sunny with a high of 75 degrees.

Fabulous Blackout, Rutgers Now 4-0

Excellent turnout and performance both at the tailgate and in O'Shi* Stadium!

Near-record turnout

The weather gods were relatively in our favor for our Black lot tailgate, where a crew of about 30 prepared for RU's B1G opener vs. Washington, won by the Scarlet Knights 21-18 in a sellout. 

W for Rush Shirt

RU 1-0 in games with Panda

The tailgate menu included salmon and crab packets, Beecher's mac and cheese, warm cinnamon apples, sausage with pepper and onion, dogs, and loads of sides and desserts. A truly Washington State flavor.

Nice job with Washington-based artists as a musica playlist; was interesting to target the visiting team's state-bred musicians. 

Plenty of great drinks including Natty Bo, Rick Astley IPA, and a new annual tradition of the Eric Legrand toast featuring his bourbon. Forgot the Butterscotch Krimpets, however; clearly we missed Grandpa Andy, who was in Arizona and should be back in time for Wisconsin on Oct. 12. 

Speaking of Wiscy, does an Oktoberfest menu make the most sense? As a curling guy, the Matt Hamilton Special seems like a must. Brats, kielbasa, Bavarian pretzel bites, etc. If not, cheese fondue for 20+, lol.

 

Back in Black After 3-Week Hiatus

A lot to unpack in the three weeks since our last tailgate ahead of Rutgers win on Saturday, Sept. 7 vs. Akron (and still trying to figure out what exactly is a Zip). 

Scant resistance from Zips

The highlight of that tailgate, aside from the awesome breakfast menu, was the Danahead presentation. BREP's eloquence was NFL Hall of Fame-level commentary and several pictures below capture the sentimentality of the event, with many tears of joy caught by BREPNation insiders. 

After a bye, the Scarlet Knights escaped Blacksburg, VA, with a 26-23 win over Tech. An important road win against a Power 4 program. 

Anna pre-bionic back

It's a game that should have been about 30-7 at the half. However, a missed FG and fumble 2 yards from paydirt kept VaTech alive. 

Coach Schiano almost cost us by getting cute with 52-yard FG tries and an inexplicable and unsuccessful 3-pass drive in the second half. These ill-advised moves gave the Hokies more time to play catchup and ultimately tie the game at 23 with 4 minutes to go. Fortunately, a big play put RU in range for a short late FG and then the defense wrapped up the game on a Longerbeam interception. Phew! 

Glenn wasting no time
getting into festivities

No matter the path, Rutgers is 3-0 going into a Friday night showdown with 2024 national championship runner-up and new B1G member Washington, which comes to Piscataway at 3-1 and 24-5 winners on Saturday vs. Northwestern. It's the Scarlet Knights' first of 9 conference games through season's end. 

Kickoff is 8 p.m. and Rutgers opens as a 3.5-point favorite. Remember it's a blackout game, so wear black. Long-range forecast shows high 70s and rain early in the day before clearing. 

As it's a Friday night, anticipate heavy traffic around Piscataway. We'll meet in the customary base camp nearest Busch Student Center ~5 p.m. 

Menu-wise, Dana had a great idea during the Akron tailgate to do Seattle-themed bullshit, namely salmon. It's super-easy to prepare and as this website shows that Dungeness crab is another Washington delicacy, Bill's happy to make salmon and crab packets -- a killer recipe from the family archives that can be prepped mostly in advanced and quickly grilled onsite. 

Beyond that, it seems like clams and oysters also are local delicacies, as are Beecher's mac and cheese plus dishes based on apples (cider donuts, pies, etc.), rhubarb, cherries and raspberries. 

Assuming not everyone's into seafood, let's have our landlubbers suggest a meat idea if needed; and we could do NJ-themed accompaniments like grilled white corn on the cob (super easy to do in foil packets)
and tomato salads if game?

Let's get the conversation and roll call going in the comments and everyone have a great week!

Double the cursing

Danahead and Beatles bullshit

Great friends, great times, dedicated Rutgers fans!

Starting the Season Off Right!

The official BREP Nation Howard tailgate Group Shot

The RU 2024 football season got off on the right foot with a raucous tailgate with about 30 people in attendance, followed by a 44-7 beatdown of Howard. Our tailgates are now enhanced by new season ticket holders Eric's brother Dave, Andy, Anna, Erin, Al, Glenn and Donna. Special guest appearances by EX ExPat John Lyon & wife Kim, A& E friends Amy & Glenn, Pat Cotter, Al's wife Joanne, Larry's friend Steve, Aaron from Wales, and Basil added to the fun.  JC and Bill joined in at the game.  It was great to see everyone!! 

Getting things going early with Andy's grill and three tents!!

Part of the crew making their way in with Andrea intensely making a real estate deal on the phone 

The team has left the locker room!!!

The BREPNATION crew spilling out all over Section 121!! 

We look forward to next week for a 9 am meetup with a noon start against Akron! Pete is already proposing Breakfast Burritos so lets get the chat going! 

And don't forget to wear red to the game!!

Blue scarf is optional!

Time To Get Ready for the 2024 season!!!!

 Finally, the moment has arrived: Welcome to the Rutgers Football Season 2024!

As many of us have have waited all summer and had to deal with a lot of gymnastics (with more to come), by the power invested in me by BREP Nation, Rutgers University,  Elvis Presley Enterprises, and Yeungling Breweries, Inc I formally declare the 2024 Rutgers football tailgating season open! I call upon our season ticket group (andthe youth of the world) to descend upon the black lot for 7 weekends this fall.    

All Heads to be out in full force on the 29th!!!

Hard to believe these kids can drink legally now at tailgates

As we are gearing up for out first tailgate Thursday August 29 (only 11 days away) at 6 PM I will start the ball rolling on head count to say I will be attending along with our new season ticket holder Al Perry and his wife Joanne (with using using Dr. Dana's single since he's out that night). I am also passing my two extra free "giveaway" tickets along to A&E for their use.   Please respond in the comments to indicate how many people in your group are going, as well as your preference for what we should do for this tailgate for food.  Also shout out if you have any extra tickets available.  Pete and I have already discussed getting there around 2:30 to 3 to meet in the black lot as well. 

BREPNATION CELEBRATES A PINSTRIPE BOWL WIN IN PHOTOS!