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| bELieve (we may have neglected to take a group shot) |
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| Kathy's U.Del crew rooting on teams not named U.Del |
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| Birthday props to Greeny |
Just when Bill and Kathy thought when landing at 3:40 p.m. they'd be first to the tailgate for the first time in BREP Nation history, 2014 tailgate-group acquisition Glenn Pearson, with son Brian and photo-bombing grandson Jameson, were the first to arrive "a few minutes ago" per Glenn, though sources tell us that they pulled an all-nighter after Montgomery's Friday Night double-OT tilt vs. Cranford.
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| Perfect football weather |
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| I'll feed all you f***ers |
Food was abundant an diverse. No
need to pile on, as the full menu was already listed in the prior post lest anyone forget, but thanks to everyone that contributed to what was a kickass feast!!!
The drinks and the discussion were flowing, and I know our bandwagon visitors in town to cheer on Indiana had a fantastic time and felt welcomed by our crew.
If anyone else has photos to share (preferably with a smart-alecky quip), please add; but for now, here's the first photo dump.
May we all relish the fun had on Saturday before the cortege to o'SHI! Stadium and enjoy the bye week, where theoretically we can't lose again.
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| Yeah, yeah, yeah...we know, defending nat'l champ bullshit (beloved by BREP Nation regarless) |
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| Great to have the boys back! |
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| Billy H, Wally, Billy K |
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| We hate bourbon |
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| Great to be joined as always by the Bembens and Acunas |
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| Eric detailing how our parents drove around in our childhood |
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| Shouldn't take long to guess what he's thinking |
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| Kathy and Kat, game on |
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| Customary brick bullshit |
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| Can you tell who won? |
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| The happy couple |
This is for our broader audience of attendees, since we're looking at potentially 40-45 people, including newcomers from California and returnees from Connecticut and sketchier parts of NJ like Metuchen and Bridgewater.
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| Look for Block R and this horse racing flag; that's us |
Food: We're already set. No need to bring a random dessert or other item just because. We usually center our menu around the opponent's regional fare or pigout joint, but since Bloomington is a food desert, here's Saturday's menu:
Parking: BLACK LOT. There's plenty of signage, but once you've entered the lot, go all the way to the right/end toward Busch Campus Student Center. If using the lot for the first time, consider entering from Rt. 18 North via the NJ Turnpike. After you cross the Raritan River (you'll see o'SHI*! Stadium to your left), go 0.5 mile and take 2nd exit (after River Road) and follow loop and signs to Black lot. We park as far right from the lot entrance as possible. Again, just drive toward the student center and look for the flags (assuming Bill's there first).
The regular crew has plenty in the way of tables, condiments, plastic cups and utensils, grill items, etc. We've done this rodeo many times before. We have some camping chairs but bring one if you wish. And if you have a spare canopy please bring along in the event of rain. We'll bring back the old cornhole boards as the new, lighter ones remain in the woodshop.
If you have any questions or want to trash talk or contribute to Saturday's festivities, please use the comments field either anonymously or using your Google ID. If anonymous, state your name so we can respond accordingly or poke fun at you on Saturday.
Oh, and it's the Blackout Game, which means wear your darkest attire even if an IU bandwagoner who of course was just as passionate winning 1-2 games a year for a century before last year's run.
Probable attendees (48), will be some new faces (will update best as possible until tailgate time):
Howard provided scant resistance on Friday night as Rutgers steamrolled the Bison, 58-7, in front of a festival-sized crowd ahead of the big Nor'easter bringing the Atlantic right to Dana's doorstep.
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| Beautiful backdrop for RU diehards |
First and foremost, the Howard recap.
Friday night's tailgate was another winner, featuring Chicken Kitchen tenders, a robust 3’ sub with dressings and salads, and a mix of IPA, desserts, and Legrand bourbon. The walk-in Woodford Reserve proved refreshing as well on a night where the winds were swirling but conditions were dry and indicative of autumn.
Let's try to figure out by Monday what we'll do for the Rutgers-Indiana tailgage.
There's our usual crowd of 20-22, plus Kathy's U. of Delaware roomies Janet and Terri and Bill's friend Billy K will add another 12 to our tailgate, not to mention a few more. Let's figure on 35-40 people.
With an 8 p.m. kickoff and big crowd, let's shoot to meet by 4 p.m.
BYOB as always, but let's build a menu in the comments.
I'm more than willing to get the materials for cheesesteaks and to cook them, but if others have ideas fire away.
As we've learned in the past, there isn't much interesting IU fare or pigout joints. One item that showed for Indiana cuisine was schnitzel, so we could always default to Oktoberfest bullshit.
We could do gyros/Greek...frozen chicken parm heated up with a cigarette lighter...ideas?
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| Great job by everybody on a big tailgate! |
Another loss on the field. Going to keep this this short to post to get the ball rolling for next week's tailgate, with a quick turnaround for our Friday night game with Howard. Thanks to everyone for putting together a great California themed tailgate!
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| BrepNation welcomes cousin Johnny Skeets and Scott, Gary & Jen from down south Jersey |
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| Kaiser Soze leads the Legrande toast with his young RU boys |
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| Bill's RU Cruise wear rocks! |
Add your thought below in comments regarding if you are coming and what we should do for the food. Could be a simple burger and dogs, cold subs, or any other ideas, but first we have to get a head count and an organizer.
Also sent me your playlist request for the soundtrack via my text. Just keep it reasonable (i,m talking to you, Dana and Tom).
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| Come back Athan from Washington, we need you! (Although now he is their QB2!) |
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| USC: For our comfort |
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| "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one" Spock, Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan |
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| Shots for Eric 52! |
Also great to see a lot of familiar faces from the past (and some new ones) join BREPNation. John, Krissi, and friend Trixie representing LBI, Shakira representing Columbia, Glenn and Doug Cox representing Sayreville (with Dana), Snarski representing young field hockey alumni, Valedictorian Tom R representing SMSH, Jim West representing Bayonne's Little League Team, and Hocus Pocus (from Focus) representing '70s prog rock. we also saw the largest turnout ever of the Witkowski clan at a game with RU alum sister Carol (and sons Brian and Conner) and sister Mary (with son Andrew).
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| Late arriving Labues meet Shakira (center) |
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| Witkowskis Everywhere! |
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| Snarski's back! Does Andrea know? |
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| Thanks Everyone! Go RU! |
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The achievements of a well run tailgate organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual. Winning
is not everything - but making the effort to win is. Success demands singleness
of purpose. We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as
impossible. Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can
catch excellence. Being a fan of Rutgers
Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work,
sacrifice, dedication, and respect for authority.
I now have the great honor to declare open the Rutgers 2026 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 already told me they he expects to go to the game only). I also know
that Sam & Beth are not joining us this week.
With the
formalities out of the way, we need to put together our September tailgate.
Andy and Anna are throwing out the idea of doing a hot dog bar, 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):
Grill, propane table, and grill utensils: (Andy and Anna)
Barbeque spare Ribs (about 30): (BREP)
Barbecue Chicken: leg, thighs, etc.: (Andrea and Eric)
Hot dogs (Quantity; 3 packs of 8): (Andy/Anna)
Hot dog rolls (Quantity: 3 packs of 8): (Andy/Anna)
Hot Dog Condiments (Ketchup, Mustard, Relish, Onions, etc.): (Andy/Anna)
Tray of Macaroni and Cheese (PETE)
18 Hamburgers (Al and Joanne)
4 Veggie Burgers ((John/Christine))
22 Hamburger rolls (Pete’s sister Mary)
12 Cheese slices (Al and Joanne)
Hamburger toppings: (Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Mayo, pickles, etc.) (Al and Joanne)
Pasta or Green Salad: (John/Christine)
Plates, Papers towels, utensils, and garbage bags (Pete)
Dessert (Pete’s Sister Carol)
Brownies (Pete’s sister Mary)
Watermelon (Glenn)
Coookies (Glenn)
30 Pack of Bottled Water (Glenn)
Seltzers (Glenn)
Regular Soda: 2 six packs (Jim W)
Diet Soda: 2 six packs (Jim W)
HEAD COUNT SO FAR (22): Andy & Anna (2), Pete +3 (4), Andrea & Eric (2), John & Christine (+1) (3), BREP, Jim W, and Tom R (3), Al & Joanne (2). JC & Dana (2), Glenn +2 (3), Pat Cotter (1)
OUT FOR TAILGATE BUT GOING TO GAME: Bill, Logan +2,
Out: Sam & Beth, Tom L, Steve M and Tall Guy from Wales, Dana Cotter
Possible Additions (1) Glenn+1
After
feedback from last year, we will again 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!!!!
