Nationally ranked tailgating and drone show, but more football mediocrity

World-class tailgate with great friends. Check.

Perfect weather for the Blackout under Friday night lights and synchronized UFOs. Check.

Greeny making mega-donor Dana's day

Our new Athletic Director visits the globally revered BREP Nation tailgate. Check. 

Pregame BS at the Jacoby brick. Check.

In our seats before 7:30 p.m. per Rutgers' guidance. Check.

Yet, sadly, another hype-filled event where Greg Schiano's team couldn't get a must-win to send the record 55,000+ attendees home yearning for the next home game and similar atmosphere. Check.

Iowa 38, Rutgers 28. SMH.

Rutgers dropped to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the B1G with an ominous schedule ahead and a low probability of going .500 in league unless it can win consecutive road games at Minnesota and Washington, and then one weeks later at Purdue. 

Tall order for a team with a Swiss cheese defense that killed our chances with a bad 4Q penalty, special teams that gave up a 100-yard TD return on the opening kickoff and missed two field goals, and running game that produced only 70 yards (2.3 yards per carry). 

Not your typical Schiano success profile.

From front to back:
firehouse chicken, corn,
apple crisp, Iowa Maid
Rites, wings, mac and
cheese (not pictured:
collards, empanadas)

Cheers to 52!

Not to mention Rutgers finishes with three games vs. Top 6 foes and an unranked 4-0 UMD squad that pummelled Wisconsin at Camp Randall. 

If you thought turncoat season ticket holders behind the visitors' bench selling their seats to Iowa fans was a headscratcher on Friday night, wait until later this year.

It's shaping up as a grim season on the Banks for football, but at least we're killing it in the Black lot and will continue to bring it for better or worse. There's no better group of friends and Rutgers fans.

As Keli Zinn and her crew attested, BREP Nation brings the passion and top-notch food and drink, not to mention tailgater-curated music and the weekly LeGrand bourbon toast (with butterscotch Krimpets). 

Perfect conditions for Al to
give Pete **** for missing
too many tailgates

Anna and Andy set up camp sometime around 3 p.m. Just because.

The rest of the Nation arrived promptly at 4 p.m. ahead of the 7:30 p.m. pregame festivities (a.k.a. fans turning on their cell phone cameras...no drones until much later) and 8 p.m. kickoff.

The Iowa-themed menu went off as well as possible considering the vanilla options, with John and Dana providing tasty Maid Rite sandwiches, elevated for those wise enough to top the loose meat with yellow mustard and pickle. The steamed onion roll proved to be the winning bookend.

TMZ reports of Pat
burning eyebrows off
grilling wings proved
to be unfounded; plus
we have ex-firefighters
Andy and Anna at the
ready just in case

Andy's firehouse chicken was a delicious low-calorie (maybe for an offensive or defensive lineman) hit, as were the jerk chicken wings and mac and cheese from 2025 BREP Nation newbies Dana and Pat Cotter; the latter working up a sweat over open flames to provide proper crisp to each wing - a feat unto itself considering Pat's late-night kegstand tutorials until 3 a.m. with son, fraternity pledge and scratch golfer Brian.

Flags waiving proudly,
picture-perfect weather

Tom of the "Tom's Music" branch of BREP Nation picked up some award-winning collard greens that accompanied our Jersey corn to round out the health food portion of our dining experience. 

Special guests Jenny and John Bemben piled on with delicious empanadas.

Shane whipped up a scrumptious apple crisp that was devoured, and reintroduced friends Zac and Harrison to the joys of tailgating.

It was nice to see the Witkowskis return to the tailgate after their beach vacation hiatus, as well as the 2025 debut of legacy BREP Nation member Basil. 

Shane w/Luis Guzman
sighting?

Kudos, too, to whomever made the Iowa puppy chow and brought the boujee cheese and cracker platter.

Happier times in Sect. 121

All around game-winning effort.

At least in our quadrant of the Black lot.

After four straight weekends of tailgating and recent football suffering, we get a much-needed breather before hosting sixth-ranked Oregon on Saturday, October 18 at either 6:30 or 7 p.m. 

Let's do some homework ahead of then to figure out our next tailgate theme.

It's a neighbor to Washington, so we can do salmon or the like, but be sure to check out Nong's Khao Man Gai in Portland for some great Thai cuisine within earshot of Eugene, Oregon. I'm inclined to make at least one of the items. 

Assuming the weather cooperates, I anticipate a massive turnout and can't wait to bring it again.

Football notwithstanding.

Who's Ready for Iowa?

Alright, we had a great tailgate on Saturday and 60-10 drubbing of Norfolk State and coach Ron Mexico, but it's time to get down to B1G business!

Double Danas

I know BREP Nation will be ready, but importantly we hope the defense will look readier than it did against Ohio and Miami (Ohio) to start the season as Rutgers hosts its must-win conference opener. The offense has looked fairly solid, but historically we've been a mess in this matchup.

Facing four of the top 8-9 teams in the nation later this season, it's imperative for RU to break our 0-4 record vs. the Hawkeyes, who've beaten us by a combined 93-17. 

Iowa rolls into SHI* at 2-1 with wins vs. cupcakes Albany and UMass and another loss to Iowa State, and presumably confidence that it'll steamroll us once again with a beefy, run-heavy attack. 

Speaking of beefy...one of the staple Iowa dishes is the Maid Rite, or "Loose Meat Sandwich." 

Makes you want to relocate to Iowa, right?!

It's more or less a Sloppy Joe garnished with diced onion and pickle, so we can go that route?

Dunlap...effin a right!

Another Iowa staple is the Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich, with Dairy Sweet in Dunlop the 2024 state champion for a second time (also won in 2005). 

A third is Steak de Burgo, which basically looks like grilled steak (yawn) with butter or cream sauce.

The first two might be easiest if prepped in advance, but with a proposed 4 p.m. meet time in the black lot for an 8 p.m. kickoff, steaks can be cooked on site. 

If anyone feels compelled to handling either of the proposed Iowa mains, please comment. 

For sides, grilled sweet corn on the cob is obvious and there's probably still NJ white corn around.

Key Iowa desserts are rhubarb pie, Scotcharoos (peanut butter + chocolate rice crispy treats), and Puppy Chow (some kind of Chex concoction covered in chocolate, PB, and powdered sugar). Any bakers?

Let's get the conversation going ahead of our fourth straight weekend home game, and go RU!

Other Iowa tidbits, for folks looking to restructure BREP's tailgate playlist...bands from Iowa: The Everly Brothers, Slipknot, Andy Williams, and Glen Miller. Slim pickings (not Pickens).

RU Seeks 3-0 Start vs. Norfolk State

On the heels of Larry's fine recap of Saturday's win and great tailgate, we commence the roll call and preparation of Saturday's tailgate beginning at noon in the black lot ahead of 3:30 p.m. kickoff vs. the 1-1 Norfolk State Spartans. It's our final non-conference game before hitting the B1G meat grinder.

Saturday's forecast looks fantastic with sun and mid-70s temps.

Norfolk presents unique food options, and several of them. 

• Artisan grilled cheese: (ANDY)
• Crab cake sliders with boujee Old Bay aioli: (BILL) 
• Crab dip and biscuit (DANA + JOHN)
• Norfolk dogs
• Basically chili dogs (preferably Sabrett - LARRY) with diced raw onion and mustard
• (How they don't do cheese too is a travesty)
• Bonus points if Jennifer Labue as a Newport Newser has some Lynnhaven-brand mustard festering in the pantry (brand is no longer around as of a few years ago but it looks like your basic yellow)
• We'd need the dogs and rolls (SAM + BETH), and chili, though I have a batch of chili and can bring
• Pepperoni bread + pretzel tray (AL)
• This should be easy to get at any Italian pork story or deli posing as one, or a bakery
• Some joint called Glory's is known for this in Norfolk
• Asparagus (BURK)
• Apparently out of season relative to the region's April-May peak season but very easy to grill on the spot or prepare in advance
• Cole slaw (BURK)
• Preferably vinegar based, akin to how the area BBQ establishment, but any is fine (goes well on dogs too)
• Home fries (SAM + BETH)
• Crumb cake (DAVE BURK)

Otherwise, please share with us what you're offering to bring and whom you're bringing. 

Again, let's refrain from 32 types of desserts, and remember it's BYOB. 

The Summer Wind Came Blowing In......... 9/6 RU vs. Miami (Ohio) recap

 

The calm before the storm 

Next week I
hide the mic

An afternoon of serene tailgating turned crazy with bad karaoke and gale force winds as Piscataway got dumped on with 1.5“ of rain starting about 40 minutes before kickoffs. Luckily, the BREPNation tailgate crew tailgate escaped unharmed. 

All hail the brave tent people 

The adventurous LaBue clan try to beat the weather into the stadium. But ended up having to take refuge in the Rodkin center, and several of us waiting it out under Bill’s tent for 20 minutes of intense wind, keyed by the tent hold down efforts of cornerman JC and the returning RU prodigal son Shane.  He was still able to get me a beer to calm my nerves during the fracas.  You still got it. BRES!

More ribs than I
ever cooked before 

Great to see many new faces to the tailgate this week, including
friends Gary & Jen, Pat & Dana, Logan & Peter, Will & Erin, and joining us all year in the black lot, Sam & Beth. Everyone did a great job contributing to the tailgater, with a great variety and spread of food. Thanks to all for your efforts!!! 

Still my hero, despite
 the whole Maryland thing 

Oh, and Rutgers won 45-17 behind 4 Athan K touchdowns. The defense wasn’t great again, but QB1 is playing great.  

I turn this week’s tailgate preparation in to the capable hands of Bill and Dana as they are considering a seafood themed approach…….

Al has also given Dave one of our seats for next week so he’s got his two now with Tom also out.

Gary & Jen

Audi Club Eric and Dr. Demento return!!!

September 6th Tailgate against Miami (Ohio)

 

Let’s get started on putting together our Sept 6^th tailgate.

Noon meet up at the usual Black Lot 67 spot. Bring tents as it may have a decent chance of rain looking at long range forecast today.

As before, we will bring our own alcohol this season (BYOB), and leave it out of the tailgate assignments.

Fans already lining up for this week's tailgate 

BREP will make about 50 ribs pre-cooked, ½ beef and ½ pork (and will serenade then in BBQ sauce overnight). BREP is also using Pete’s four tickets this week, and his friends Scotty has also committed to bring some shrimp/cocktail sauce, and Gary/Jen also want to contribute. The fourth ticket goes to Al's wife Joanne. Snarski also will make cornbread to compliment the ribs. A secondary course (chicken to barbecue?) would also be an option if someone else would like to cook, or if we can come up with something else unique.     

Let me know what you think would be required in addition to that below.  We will need people to bring the following (I will try to update as people post):

50 Spare Ribs (BREP)

Pulled Chicken - (Dave/Jen)

1 1/2 Pounds Shrimp – Cold with homemade cocktail sauce for dipping (BREP’s friend Scott)

Grill, propane table, and grill utensils: (Bill)

Ham & Cheese sliders: (Andy/Anna)

Tray of Homemade Mac and Cheese: (Logan)

Tray of Homemade baked beans: (Bill)

Tray of scalloped potatoes: (Dana/JC) 

Frozen Hamburgers (Quantity; 1 pack of 8 each): (AL)

Hamburgers Rolls (Quantity; 1 pack of 8 each): (Andrea/Eric)

Cornbread: (Andrea or Snarski,  depending on who Eric brings)

Condiments:

Leafy green salad: (Will/Erin)

Macaroni salad: (Gary/Jen)Logan making Mac & Cheese

Potato salad: (Gary/Jen) 

Pasta salad: (Gary/Jen) 

Plates, Papers towels, utensils, and garbage bags: (Beth/Sam)

Desert treats - Pie: (JC) Cupcakes: (Tom L); Homemade chocolate chip cookies (Joanne, Al’s wife)

Bottled Water: 24 bottles: (Beth/Sam)

Regular Soda: 2 six packs (Al)

Diet Soda: 2 six packs (Al)

DEFINATE HEAD COUNT SO FAR (27): Andy & Anna, Al & Joanne, Larry Plus 3 (Scott, Gary/Jen on Pete’s tickets), Dave & Jen; Beth & Sam, Bill & Logan +5 friends, Eric & Andrea, Will & Erin (A& E friends), Dana & JC, Pat Cotter and his wife Dana, Tom L

OUT FOR TAILGATE/GAME: Pete and Sharon 

OUT FOR TAILGATE BUT GOING TO GAME: Dave (Eric’s Brother)

 Again, let’s reduce the amount of desert type items (cookies, cakes, muffins, donuts, etc.) to just a couple as most of these don’t get eaten, as what happened last we showed. So please try to limit these kinds of things. It’s better to throw a few dollars towards the people bringing the main courses and making large outlays if they are buying for a group of 25 people.

Dave is also looking for an extra ticket for Norfolk State the week after next (in addition to Tom’s) to bring his boys. Andrea/Snarski is also looking for a pair for Oregon for John Lyon if someone is planning to miss that game.   

Game Number 1 - What Did We Learn

Usually, the first tailgate/game of the year answers some questions and also have a few more unsettled issues to deal with. Here's what we know:

1. We know that Andy's burgers and fixings kick ass. He is the unchallenged Officer Big Mac in charge of Black Parking Lot 67 of Busch Campus, and clearly gained yet another Breppie award nomination for his fine work. The MAC conference needs to sign him up for promotional work.

 
2. We almost learned how to put up Al's new tent. We need the really tall guy from Wales to come to another game to help us get the center part at the right height.  

3. We learned that we have missed John and Chrissy being part of our tailgate for too long. RU football fan warriors who endured through the dark time of the 1980s and 1990s, Terry Shea, and trips to Notre Dame (62-0 loss with RU never crossing midfield) and Tulane/New Orleans (Hey _oug, where's the D? on the scoreboard), and a classic 64-6 beatdown at home versus Miami (FL) (one of many dark days). We hope to see them attend a tailgate/game again soon.

4. We learned more people are starting to get into those Eric Legrand whiskey shots and need more plastic shot cups

5. We also learned based on Chrissy's pictures that Sam's seats are significantly better than ours. 

6. We learned that Eric was seen canoodling during the game and post fire works with his comely new 25 year old sidepiece, a former RU field hockey player (poorly disguised in a black hat and sunglasses).  TMZ is also reporting the couple went later for a late night tete-a-tete at a seedy Seaside boardwalk bar.

7. We also learned nobody has told Andrea about this interlude yet. Maybe its the Jersey in me talking, but this Snarski chick needs to disappear (Tony Soprano style). 

8. After questions to many of the group, Pete learned Bill had to work and was coming late 

                                        

9. We learned that BREP's Athan K jersey looks like a wise purchase as his seems set to have a great season throwing the best set of RU wide receivers in decades.  We also learned that as Coach Greg has said many times this summer, this defense is going to be a work in progress that needs reps. Please contact Dana to discuss further for his thoughts. 

   

10. We also were also surprised by quality the postgame great fireworks show! Great job RU!!!

NO NEED TO START COMMENTING ON THIS POST REGARDING NEXT WEEKS TAILGATE. I WILL POST A NEW ONE FOR THAT IN A FEW DAYS     BREP

The 2025 Season is Upon Us!

 

Some may say, we in the Rutgers world, we are dreamers. And our dream is coming true this week: A reality for everyone to see. Rutgers fans from all around the globe, showing us what greatness we humans are capable of. So I invite everybody: Dream with us. Like the Rutgers football players, be inspired with the joy that only sport can give us. Let us celebrate this joy of sport together with all the athletes. Have faith in the future. Now I have the great honor to declare open the Rutgers 2025 tailgating season!

Several of us have already committed to getting to our usual corner black lot spot by 3 PM on game day. I know of a few here are also getting extra ticket giveaways for this game so getting a head count early will help nail things down tremendously. If you are expecting to not go to the tailgate, just give a heads up (Bill and JC already told me they expect to go to the game only). I also know that Sam & Beth are joining us in the black lot for the season, but have generously given their tickets this week to John and Chrissi. Pete and I also have two extra seats each.  but have not gotten confirmation from my friend Steve if he’s using them yet.   

With the formalities out of the way, we need to put together our August 28^th tailgate. Andy and Anna are throwing out the idea of do smash burgers, and in talking with others, doing a relatively simple tailgate. We will need people to bring the following (I will try to update as people step up):

24 Hamburgers (ANDY/ANNA) Andy to make Big Macs!

24 SESAME SEED Hamburger rolls (TOM L.)

Condiments (Ketchup, Mustard, Relish) (John/Chrissy)

Cheese slices (TOM L)

Hamburger toppings: (Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Mayo, pickles, etc.)   (ANDY/ANNA)

Hot dogs (Quantity ; 2 packs of 8)  (AL)

Hot dog rolls (Quantity: 2 packs of 8) (John/Chrissy)

Deviled Eggs (John/Chrissy)

Caprese salad type of bullshit (Dana)

Potato salad (PETE)

Macaroni salad  (PETE)

Plates, Papers towels, utensils, and garbage bags (PETE)

A few dessert treats - Say 2 ? (See below) (ERIC & ANDREA) 

Cookies (DANA)

If someone wants to prep some pre-cooked chicken or ribs to barbecue, that seems like an idea too.

Bottled Water (LARRY)

Regular Soda: 2six packs (LARRY)

Diet Soda: 2 six packs (AL) 

 HEAD COUNT SO FAR (15): Andy & Anna, Pete, Glenn, Ken, Cousin Brian, Andrea & Eric, John & Christine, BREP, AL, Tom L, Dana & JC at 3:45 pm

OUT FOR TAILGATE BUT GOING TO GAME : Bill, Dave & Jen

This year, I am also suggesting we bring our own alcohol this season (BYOB), and leave it out of the tailgate assignments. Most people do this already, and saying “I’ll bring beer” doesn’t really help with the tailgate since we usually have way too much, and end up taking it back home.

Similarly, we need to reduce the amount of desert type items (cookies, cakes, muffins, donuts, etc.) to just a couple as most of these don’t get eaten. So please try to limit these kinds of things. It’s better to throw a few dollars towards the people bringing the main courses and making large outlays if they are buying for a group of 25-30 people.

Let the tailgating begin!!!

 Remember to wear RED to the Game!!!!

Putting A Bow On The 2024 Season

Rutgers' 7-6 season that culminated in a blown 17-point lead and 44-41 Rate Bowl loss to Kansas State in Arizona the day after Christmas failed to match the preseason hype, but BREP Nation put forth yet another National Championship-level tailgate season in 2024!

Rate Bowl hijinx with
Legrand bourbon toast

Rate Bowl watch in NJ
(kudos to Tom going to AZ!)

The on-field product and busy schedules sapped our strength to blog much since the UCLA and USC debacles, and so we'll briefly recap the final two home tailgates for Minnesota (November 9) and Illinois (November 23); the latter a brutal 4-hour loss to the Illini, which cost RU a better bowl as Coach Schiano saw it wise to ice the kicker on a 57-yard attempt he had zero chance of converting.  

The Minnesota result, a pleasantly surprising 26-19 win as quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw for three touchdowns against his former team, improved Rutgers record to 5-4. 

Final '24 group shot

My one Minn shot

From a tailgating perspective, with another noon kickoff, the Nation stood strong and produced a nice menu of breakfast themes, and Andy's Minnesota-themed ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian buns. It was a solid day for the penultimate 2024 tailgate. 

The Illinois tailgate, despite the football result, was a picture-perfect close to our season. 

Dana's Illinois-themed Italian beef sandwiches were the culinary highlight of the day and maybe one of the most savory dishes we've had; adding fresh-made giardiniera to it was outstanding. 

Inspecting the spread

Pete's pierogies were a wonderful complement to Chicago-oriented foods, while Andy thought outside the box to bring Sayreville specialty Mr. Dee's chili to create delicious chili-cheese hot dogs. 

Bad loss, but fun group

Plenty of bourbon was shared, too, including the
customary Legrand shot and spiked hot apple ciders.

In the months ahead, we begin preparations for the 2025 tailgate season and more great times with fantastic friends creating more wonderful memories. The schedule is already out; not the start times, but let's hope we don't get mired at noon every week again. See everyone in the Black lot next season!

2025 Home Schedule: August 30 (Ohio), September 6 (Miami, Ohio), September 13 (Norfolk State), September 20 (Iowa), October 18 (Oregon), November 8 (Maryland), November 29 (Penn State)

Pierogies, Giardiniera
& Italian beef

Dig in, Pete!

Andy's sliders

Andy serving up...

Mr. Dee's chili-cheese dogs

Ja-kobe beef?

Pregame brick visit

Not symbolic of game outcome,
but a great shot nonetheless