Sunday, September 22, 2024

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!












29 comments:

  1. Bill, Kathy and Login are in!

    I'm happy to do salmon and crab packets at the least; could also ask Logan to do mac and cheese.

    It's possible that Shane's coming up from Maryland and spending the night in NB with MAST buddies who transferred into Rutgers this year. Even if he's not up, we'll invite his friends and maybe a few of their family members.

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  2. Not yet sure what we’ll bring. I did read this in all recipes. “There’s no such thing as a boring hot dog in Washington. This particular recipe features a hot dog topped with sweet onion cream cheese sauerkraut and brown mustard ( totally kosher )

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  3. That was me above. Beechers mac and cheese looks great and there’s also a recipe for dungeoness crab rolls. Getting excited

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Dana and JC. If you get into a jam let me know by Thursday and we can work the mac n cheese.

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  4. Still finalizing our group (we have 4 extra tix so it should be 8 of us) but I will definitely bring homemade fried apples in a warming tray.

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  5. Grandpa Andy is jetting off to AZ this week to see his granddaughter Isley, it'll be me & Erin(maybe). I'll get a concrete answer from her by Wednesday. I am happy to make my Greek salad in honor of RU QB Athan Kaliakmanis. 🤮
    However, since I do not have pick-up truck driving privileges, I cannot bring all the tables and benches but I can bring the canopy.

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    Replies
    1. I'll text you on Thursday if we need anything but between mine and Pete's we should be OK on tables. Only need canopy if it's rainy; else no sun issue for night game. Greek salad is good if you're able.

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    2. Also, Andy & Erin's tickets are taken. Sorry I didn't put that up prior. :(

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  6. Johnny c and I will be responsible for the famous Washington Beechers Mac and cheese

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  7. BREP from Colorado: Al is looking to buy an extra for his wife, Joanne. Any unused tickets in the group?

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    Replies
    1. Pete has graciously provided me with one of his extras

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  8. I'll be up there with beer and hopefully, some Berger cookies

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  9. Hi--Eric and I will be there, and Eric's brother (who doesn't have access to the blog) will be also. We will bring dessert and bourbon.

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    1. If Dave OK being added, send me his gmail address (or other); can text it if not wanting to tell the world

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  10. Looking like we may have ~25 people (if Kathy's cousin with RU freshman joins).

    I'm going to shop for the seafood on Friday morning so I'd like to get a headcount as to who's OK with salmon and crab/shrimp packets so I don't buy for 20+ to find out that only 5 people like seafood. If you have an aversion, allergy, or prefer simpler like dogs please give a sense here. Dana's sweet onion bullshit mentioned above is simply dogs, sauerkraut, sauteed onion, cream cheese and spicy mustard if someone wants to do that as evidently it's a big Seattle thing; will bring the grill. Else here's headcount + menu contributions thus far (everyone BYOB to make life easier).

    Holobowskis (6: Bill, Kathy, Logan and Shane +2; Zack and Thomas) - Salmon packets
    Witkowskis (8: usual 4 + 4 extras) - Homemade fried apples in warming tray
    Dana and John (2) - Beechers mac and cheese
    Anna Victoria sans Grandpa Andy (1) - Caesars salad
    Burks (3: Eric, Andrea, Dave) - Dessert + bourbon
    Tom (1): Cookies + beer
    BREP (1): Yuengling + safe travels from the Land of Deion

    Dave and Jen, you guys joining...anyone else I forgot?

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    Replies
    1. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/140716/seattle-cream-cheese-dogs/

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    2. Apologies, Biz also joining us (1). Others?

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    3. 2 more Al and his wife Joanne

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    4. Dave & Jen joining. But only count 1 for seafood. Have drinks & chips. Anything else we need?

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    5. As per Bills comment above I'll bring a case of yuengling. Al wanted to know what to bring.

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    6. Our party of 7 should be good with seafood. My 8th ticket went to Larry on behalf of Joanne. Will anyone bring hot dogs for the non-pescatarians?

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    7. See Basil below; dobs/sausages covered.

      Donna flexing instead to apple cider donuts and pie

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  11. Baz HERE (+4 more)
    Matt and Michelle .... Zachary and Chris area also coming to the game, they are basically sitting just across the isle from the group seats but in Sec122. Matt and Michelle will ride in with Andrea and Eric (Walmart meet up). Zachary and Chris are coming a little later and will be winging getting in ... maybe Uber'ing.

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    Replies
    1. Sharing Basil text message: "Matt and Michelle will bring some hotdogs and maybe sausage to cook. Matt offering to cook those. Also will bring some cheese and other salad too."

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  12. Baz HERE (+4 more)
    Zachary and Chris are not planning to eat dinner at the tailgate...not really sure when they will arrive.
    I would try 1 seafood pattry thing .. but will mainly eat Matt&Michelles more classic tailgate fare.
    -----
    Matt and Michelle will bring some normal hotdogs (any maybe sausage too)
    ... if need be, Matt would just like access to grill after the seafood cook off, to cook up their more classic tailgating food.
    Also bringing some cheese/cracker style platter side ... and probably some macaroni salad too.

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  13. Glenn will bring cole slaw or potato salad

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  14. I’m down for 🦀 & 🐟. It goes well w/ ελληνικά 🇬🇷Salad.

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  15. Baz HERE (+4 more)
    will bring the hotdog toppings and their rolls too
    .... we are simple folk ..... ketchup, spicy mustard, heated sauerkraut, a little diced onion ...... and we have some peppers and onion for the sausage

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  16. This game is listed as a sellout, so lot may fill up quicker than in the first two weeks. I'll try to get to the lot around 4:30, though I don't know how many spots I can save.

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