The Bloomington Six (and Prep for Ohio State Tailgate)

On the heels of B-Rep's fabulous wrap up of the Michigan State win, we turn attention now to the "Bloomington Six" that headed west to ensure that our beloved Scarlet Knights became bowl-eligible for the first time in almost a decade.

The Bloomington 6, prepping
for IU with fine spirits

Though only four of us where cheering on Rutgers, a tip of the cap to Janet and Tom Hoffman for coordinating the second-half of our five-day trip to Kentucky bourbon and horse country and to a B1G university that has had enough of us in a short time. 

Beautiful campus, downtown and football setting, with the stadium next door to Alumni Hall.

The perfect album cover for
hardcore punk band

Much as Rutgers -- the running game in particular -- was met with little resistance, IU fans seemed generally indifferent to our presence. Not a ton of fans outside of a smattering here and there, the Rutgers section of about 250 in the bottom right corner below us, but we came across several dignitaries, including Gavin's grandmother and other friends from their nearby Kentucky town. 

RU supporters revel in
win at The Upstairs

In the end, Rutgers 31 - Indiana 14 and a 6-2 record and guaranteed bowl for the Scarlet Knights.

Bloomington is a great college town and incredibly walkable. 

Scoreboard says it all

After the game, the thirsty crew headed to The Upstairs Club for a few pitchers, then to BuffaLouie's for impressive wings and beer. It's there that we met more of Team Wimsatt, proudly sporting their RU gear.

From there, a round at the famous Nick's English Hut and a late night of live country music at the historic Bluebird, where Audi Club Eric was itching to do some line dancing to the sounds of local hero Hank Ruff. We ended up leaving the club around 1 a.m. and just missed the arrest of 5-star IU basketball freshman MacKenzie Mgbako. (Of course, no suspension at all for a kid being a complete shithead and getting booked outside the Taco Bell basically across the street from the Bluebird.) 

Next Up: RU hosts Ohio State, Saturday at noon; tailgate meet-up at 8:45 a.m.: From Eric and Andrea's fabulous Halloween party, it seemed folks were cool doing our version of the Thurmanator, the ultimate pigout food of Columbus, OH, home of the Buckeyes. It's something we've done before with much success. Bill will handle all of the burger materials. 

Otherwise we could use maybe a breakfast pastry/food based on early arrival time and some sides; green salad, potato salad? Make suggestions in comment field below.

Some kind of
bullshit tower

Burks happy, well dressed

The Bluebird Cafe

Scene of Mgbako 2 a.m. arrest

The Ode to the Loyal Six (and Andy & Anna)

 

This is the Ode the Loyal Six,

Who stayed to watch what was assumed an abyss.

Basil, BREP, Pete, Bill & Dave Labues times 2,

Joined by Andy & Anna after halftime, waterlogged through.

The tailgate was rousing, under panels we parked,

Breakfast was great, though no grill had sparked.

The walk to the stadium was drizzling and brisk,

Dana (and Daves) stopping as usual to check on his bricks.

Once the game started, for RU nothing went right,

We weren't going to go down without a fight?

Flagged for targeting (an illegal hit?!?)

Bad call after bad call “What was that s*t!”

Two Spartan scores just before half,

The rain got harder, Basil said get me a decaf. 

The lines were long, no coffee to be found, 

Watered down hot chocolate was only around.

After MSU scored mid third to make it 24-6,

Dana was gone yelling expletives to check in on his bricks. 

Andrea was cold as the wind and rain swept thee,

And as usual Eric said “lets go” early in quarter three.

Fans were grumbling, the language got hotter,

People were leaving, even diehard Pat Cotter!

All that are left are the Loyal Six,

Who stayed to watch what was assumed an abyss.

Basil, BREP, Pete, Bill & Dave Labues times 2,

Joined by Andy & Anna after halftime, still waterlogged through.

But a fumbled punt upon which our block team had sprung,

A Rutgers TD for our veteran Aaron Young!

Firmly settled in to Sharon’s comfy backed chair,

Realizing we now had more than a prayer.

It was at this point we knew we couldn’t just leave, 

the guy in front of us yelled “Believe, Jerry, Believe!”

Sparty got the ball and went out in three,

Rutgers drove 73 yards for another TD!

After a  Wimsatt to Dremel 2 point conversion,

Came RUs best yet kickoff diversion.

Lining up in a look for an onside kick,

Pooching the ball was the actual trick.

An unexpected jump ball that left us in in awe,

Stolen by Thomas Amakwaa!

One Kyle M. run for a TD up the middle, to give us the lead!

Later running out the clock, with a seven minute bleed.

Now raise you glasses and sing songs of glory,

To those who stayed, celebrate our story.

Basil, BREP, Pete, Bill & Dave Labues times 2,

Joined by Andy & Anna, very waterlogged through.

 

What We Learned from RU vs. Wagner

After careful consideration and reading through your mailbag suggestions, the editorial staff here at BrepNation.com decided to compile a list of the things we learned from last weeks tailgate/game:

 1. We learned that when ordering pre cooked food, ask for it heated and not warm.

 2. We also learned there are nice people in the RU community that will let you use their grill is you plead enough with them, and we owe them a bottle of champagne in two weeks. 

3. We learned that Liam is an even better corn holer than his father Glen because.....

4. ......he finished his game with Adam versus BREP/Pete in stunning fashion with a perfect 4 bag "hole out" round to finish a route by a score of 31-3.  

5. We learned that Julie has no problem doing Kareoke as long as she doesn't have to sing. 

6. We learned anyone and everyone wants to do a shot of Eric LeGrande's whiskey. 

7. We also learned that Dana does not want to be the cook at any tailgates in the near future. He was heard to mutter on his walk into the stadium, "I'm a doctor, not a caterer!" in a tribute to Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy. 

8. We learned that Dana got the rights to the RU brick in the divorce, and he is required to visit the brick 5 times a year to maintain custody.

9. We learned how much we miss Jenny, and how great her new job is!  

10. We learned the way to get all the $1 pizza you want is to go to the upper deck stand (Sorry, Jen)

11. Finally, we learned Pete and Sharon are the only ones in our group who get Peacock!