Game 281: #3 Notre Dame @ Northwestern
Game 280: #20 Wisconsin @ Northwestern
Wisconsin has been one of the Big Ten’s best.
A worthwhile team to for your hopes to invest.
Northwestern awaited pounding their chest.
Hoping to topple their Badger guest.
Game 279: Illinois @ #20 Wisconsin
Four seasons. One game.
There is no better way to describe the weather at this Badger homecoming game. A chilly spring like rain fell just before kickoff, which led to dry, cool, gray autumnal skies. An unexpected torrent of wintry snow then whipped wildly around Camp Randall, which gave way to a sunny summery sky. Actually, that was just the first half, and it unleashed havoc on both offenses. Illinois struggled most miserably as Wisconsin forced five turnovers in four seasons.
Game 278: Purdue @ Illnois
A very promising day was building for the Illini.
Homecoming.
Coming off a Big Ten victory.
Great crowd near capacity.
An early touchdown that gave Illinois a 7-0 lead had the Orange and Blue rattling the columns that align Memorial Stadium.
But, that would end the thrills. Purdue, led by QB David Blough, obliterated Illinois from that point forward.
RUTGERS – HIGHPOINT STADIUM
Established in 1766 as Queens College, Rutgers is older than the United States. History is a big deal around here as nods to the original Queen’s College can be seen in logos and landmarks around campus. That sense of history also spills onto the football field as Rutgers played in the first ever collegiate football game in 1869, thus earning the title The Birthplace of College Football. A statue commemorating that 6-4 victory over Princeton stands proudly outside HighPoint Stadium- an icon on the Rutgers campus.
Game 277: Illinois @ Rutgers
Right before kickoff, as though it were a rally cry, one hopeful Scarlet Knight fan hollered, “There is only one team worse in the Big Ten than Rutgers – Illinois!” Well, the game would prove that even that was not true. In a stadium where a sign held up by one student mockingly reads, “1869 National Champs,” many fans have been feeling the sting of joining the Big Ten.
LSU – TIGER STADIUM
Before even having attended LSU, I described it as one of my top 5 visits along the college football tour. I just knew – and I wasn’t disappointed. Few places blend hospitality and hostility so well – the fans are most welcoming and the stadium is most intimidating. This is especially true on a Saturday night.
Game 276: Ole Miss @ #6 LSU
Chance of rain? Never!
Well, a little bit, but who cares?
This was LSU on a Saturday night, and all tailgating and pregame revelry was in full swing – especially with rival Ole Miss in town.
Game 275: Memphis @ Tulane
Despite the ominous skies threatening precipitation, Tulane fans, and students in particular, filled the campus quad with tailgating madness. Apparently, the area usually designated for Green Wave backers was given to visiting Tiger fans. Once it was apparent that Memphis was not going to fully occupy their designated area, the Tulane students took action. In a move of retaliation, a tailgate covering a few thousand square feet was lifted and relocated to its rightful land. In a scene like no other I have ever witnessed, a green wave of fans carrying tents, tables, coolers and kegs marched their event a few hundred feet back to its rightful territory and continued to party in a fashion that rivals many power five conference schools.
BALL STATE – SCHEUMANN STADIUM
- If the Ball brothers saw a gameday in Muncie today, they would be very proud of their investment. So much pride runs through this university that bears the name of its benefactors. The brothers Ball are most famous for their glass jar company – their name scripted on each Mason style container. They wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to them by purchasing land and donating it to the state of Indiana. That land would become Ball State University.