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.