Rutgers v Indiana Tailgate Details

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. 

Look for Block R and this
horse racing flag; that's us

Here are the primary details on Saturday's RU-IU tailgate, starting 4 p.m. Gametime is 8 p.m. We'll update this link daily with changes.

As of Friday 9:30 a.m. ET, the forecast is fantastic - low 70s at the start of our tailgate and dipping into the high 50s by the time RU is up by a few touchdowns around the third quarter.

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:

• Cheesesteaks: Bill handling steak, rolls, cheese, and sauteed onions; 2 bottles of Legrand Bourbon
• Seasoned Roasted Potatoes: Pete
• Shrimp Cocktail and Horseradish (Indiana staple): Pete
• Deviled Eggs: Pete
• Cheese, Meat, Fruit and Cracker Platter: Andrea (99.5% of the work) and Eric (0.5%, mostly consisting of platitudes to Andrea for a job well done)
• Cornbread Casserole: Andrea and Eric (see above)
• Firehouse Chicken (Baked with Rice): Andy
• Salad or Veggie: John and Jennifer Bemben
• Caesar Salad: Janet and Tom Hoffman
• Butterscotch Crimpets: Andy
• Chocolate Chip Cookies: John and Jennifer Bemben
• Berger Cookies: Tom

If you insist on bringing a food item, consider the list above to avoid duplicates. 

Drinks: BYOB; everyone brings to share with the group, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic; we will do our Legrand Bourbon toast around 7 p.m. and may have enough for walk-in Bourbon and Butterscotch Crimpets to dip.

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):

• Bill & Kathy Holobowski (2)
• Andy Walker & Anna Higgins (2)
• Pete Witkowski (1)
• Glenn Pearson, Brian and Jameson Santaniello (3)
• Tom Labue (1)
• Dave, Jennifer, David and Jason Labue (4)
• Dana Jacoby (1)
• John Coulter (1)
• Larry Skarzynski (1)
• Andrea & Eric Burke (2) + Vreelands (2)
• John & Jennifer Bemben +2 (4)
• Terri, Cole, and Jordyn Shearson (3)
• Kathy's U. Del roommate now from San Diego; son with IU ties
• Tom and Janet Hoffman +2 (4)
• Kathy's U. Del roommate now from Weston, CT; son Cole IU biz school grad
• Billy (a.k.a. Billy K), Kara, and Katie Kwiatkowski + friends Gary, Joan and Theo (6)
• Longtime Hobo friends from Metuchen by way of North Brunswick and Perth Amboy
• Son Will currently attends IU
• Billy attended biz school at IU, also loves Colts...when they're good
• "Big Mac Crew" (10)
• Wally & Kristin Acuna + Kerry, Dino, Anna, Michael, Alexis and Acuna triplets Andie, Arden, and Mercer