The “Brothers Tailgate” made their way to Fort Worth, TX
Saturday morning to watch the TCU Horned Frogs take on the Oklahoma State
Cowboys, Mrs. Tailgate’s Alma Matter. TCU Football has a long and storied
history dating back 130 years. Their glory days came in the 1930’s when they
were steered by Quarterbacks Slinging Sammy Baugh and Davey O’Brien. The Horned
Frogs claimed two national titles during the same decade and were a force to be
reckoned with. For over 60 years they were part of the old Southwest Conference
until it disbanded in the early 1990s. They moved onto the WAC, then the MWC
and ultimately landed in the Big 12 five years ago. Along with the golden boys of
the 1930’s other greats such as Bob Lilly, Ladanian Tomlinson and Andy “Opie
Dalton” graced the gridiron of Amon G. Carter Stadium “AGC”.
The stadium has been around since 1930 and is named after a
major benefactor from that era and the school’s greatest cheerleader. AGC
underwent major plastic surgery five years ago giving it the appearance of a
brand new stadium. The school leaders wanted to make it the “Camden Yard” of college
football. They hit their mark in the aesthetic areas and unique attributes.
Carter seats 45,000 fans and has all the amenities and conveniences you would
expect in a modern facility.
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| The majestic Amon G Carter Cathedral |
We rolled into Fort Worth at 9:15 AM for pre-game
activities and joined our friends the Fernando family from Danville. The Texas
skies were cloudless and the air was brisk with a slight breeze providing for
perfect fall football weather. We learned the Horned Frog symbol which is a
peace sign with the fingers bent down. The school chant is something out of a
1930’s period movie “Riff Rham Bah Zoo”. The cheerleaders were typical Texas
beauties with plenty of enthusiasm and big smiles. Did you think I was going to say something
else? Please, clean your act up. Accompanying the cheerleaders on the field were
the showgirls, which are reminiscent of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The
only complaint I will lodge is that the Pride of TCU Marching Band was
consistently drowned out by piped in rap and heavy metal all game long. I won’t
get on my soap box too much on this topic but marching bands are to be heard
along with being seen. I can listen to rap and rock on my i tunes anytime, I
don’t need it at a football game.
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| Sue and Roger Fernando, AKA our Chaperones |
The stadium is surrounded by grassy areas and parking lots with
purple and white canopies and the smell of good Texas BBQ. On this day the Horned Frogs would be hosting
the Cowboys from Oklahoma State. The two coaches Gary “No voice” Patterson of
TCU and Mike “Mullet” Gundy are both the most successful coaches in their
program’s history. Just think, Mrs. Tailgate graduated with Coach Gundy, she
could have married him but hit the motherlode instead. Oklahoma State came into
the game with an 8-2 record and an outside chance at the college football
playoff. TCU is in the midst of a rebuilding year with a 5-4 record.
The Frogs started the game on the right foot by recovering a
Barry Sanders Jr muffed punt return and scoring a quick six. From there it all
went down Hill, as in Kenny “Trill” Hill their transfer QB from TAMU. The Frogs
shanked the extra point and went on to surrender 31 unanswered point to the
Pokes. The Ok State offense spearheaded by 6’5 QB Mason Rudolph and RB “No” Justice
Hill and a compliment of receivers tore through the Frog defense at will all
afternoon. The final score had the Cowpokes on top 31-6. For a moment I thought
Mike Stoops was running the TCU defense. The Pokes are now in a position to win
the Big 12 when they meet their rival the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman for the “Bedlam”
game in 2 weeks.
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| An amazing day in Fort worth |
After saying our goodbyes to the Fernandos and Fort Worth we
made our way up I 35 W for the 45 mile trek to the University of North Texas in
Denton, TX. There we met up with Bobby and Julie Baumgardner for a pre-game
tailgate. We chowed on homemade bacon infused potato salad, Johnsonville beer
brats and cheese grillers all pared with frosty PBR. The tailgate acreage has
an area called “The Hill” where the Greek and other student organizations get
their pre- game swerve on. We were in the parking lot adjacent to that area.
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| The DFT UNT Tailgate |
The
last time we attended a game at UNT in 2009 they played in the old dilapidated
Fouts Field and were part of the Sun Belt Conference. They now call Apogee
Field home which was completed 4 years ago and are now part of the Conference USA.
Apogee is spectacular and unique with the east end zone stands shaped like bat
wings and the athletic dorms beyond the west end zone. It is also one of the on
campus stadiums that serves beer deep in the heart. Geez I love Texas. This
would be my sixth Texas school of the year to attend a game. After purchasing affordable
care general admission tickets we found a stack of premium tickets discarded by
scalpers. These tickets scored us seats on the 40 yard line 5 rows from the
field. The CFB God’s looked kindly upon us.
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| The Green Machine at Apogee Stadium |
The UNT Mean Green would be hosting Conference USA foe
Southern Mississippi, AKA Favre University. UNT under first year offensive
genius coach Seth Littrell entered the game at 4-6 with a shot to still make a
bowl. The SO MO’s Golden Eagle’s record was 5-5. The 400 member spirited UNT band
rocked the stadium with continuous songs belted out throughout the contest. After
storming out to a 20-0 lead to the delight of the green clad fan base, SO MO
scored 27 straight to take a seven point lead. The Mean Green kicked a field
goal to get within 4 points. The Green
defense stiffened up and produced several late turnovers resulting in another touchdown
to secure a 30 - 27 win. UNT’s most favorite alumni was celebrating somewhere with
a Coca Cola. The band belted out the Alma Matter as the players rushed the
student section and then we departed back down to our lodgings near Love Field.
Honestly I had the stamina to hit the second half of the SMU game but my sleepy
older brother needed his nap earning him Bieber consideration.
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| Bobby wannabe band boy Baumgardner |
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| Which one is the real Chickenhawk? |
Here is our weekend in a nutshell (Click through to get to flipagram):
A Few More Cowboys! #TobyKeith #flipagram made with @flipagram https://t.co/OgfoUCy1zv— Dan Donnelly (@Dantailgater) November 21, 2016
Around The Country
In the cold and snow in Morgantown, the Oklahoma Sooners capitalized
on numerous Mountaineer turnovers to secure a 56 - 28 win and a shot at the BIG
12 Title and an outside chance at the playoffs. On a night when the hillbillies
could use the extra heat, there would be no couch burning in Morganhole. Although
the score looked lopsided the Mike Stoops engineered defense surrendered close
to 600 yards to the Eers. At one point, screaming Mike was caught on TV
throwing a tantrum in the booth.
On Thursday night, the college football world witnessed the
Louisville Cardinals offensive line win the national mannequin challenge by
allowing Heisman Leader Lamar Jackson to be sacked more times than a George
Steinbrenner Manager. The Houston Cougars dominated all facets of the game
winning by a score of 36-10 and knocking the Cardinals out of any playoff
chances. This was the Houston team that beat OU in week one, not the team that
lost to SMU a month ago.
In the makeup game postponed by the September Hurricane, a
pissed off Florida Gator team migrated into Baton Rouge to meet up with SEC foe
LSU. There was much behind the scenes bickering about where and when this game
should be played after the original venue was in Gainesville. Bitterness was
abound on both sides. After stopping the Tigers on a fourth and goal situation
late in the game, the Gators held on for a narrow win and the SEC East championship.
Their victory prize is a meeting with Alabama in 2 weeks. Coach O’s chances of
keeping the HC office next season diminished further. Florida coach Macilvane
had this to say in the post-game about the LSU athletic department:
Most of the rest (not all) of the SEC played junior high
teams for what reason I don’t care to know.
The much improved VA Tech Hokies traveled to South Bend to
take on the Fighting Irish. The Hokies came from deep behind twice to notch a
34-31 win over an Irish team reminiscent of the Charlie Weiss era.
In Boulder, the Mike Mac coached Colorado Buffs fared better
than the Cougs from the Palouse in a PAC 12 showdown. The win all but guarantees
Colorado the PAC 12 South title and a shot at the overall conference championship.
In the Mountain West it is widely rumored that the Aztecs
from San Diego State purposely lost to the Wyoming Cowboys to avoid having to
play Boise State in the MWC finale. I hope this is not true. Wyoming only needs
to conquer New Mexico next week and they will take the MWC north and meet up with
the Aztecs again on 12/3 for the ship.
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| DFT daughter and i Carly at the Blue Friday night. |
Next Week
The Brothers Tailgate will reconnect with cousin Teen and
her hubby, the good Doctor Eric Glassy along with the Major to enjoy the fruits
of my video victory at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. I am hopeful that ND can
salvage a disappointing season with a win over arch rival USC just because.
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| The Rabagos at the SJSU v Air force game |
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| Playing CFB at double nickles, an inspiration to us all. |
Happy Tailgating!
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