 |
The 1971 Game of the century.
|
Fifty years ago, on a gray, cool day in Norman,
Oklahoma, the #2 ranked Sooners would host the #1 Nebraska Cornhuskers in what
is now known as the Game of the Century. This past Saturday, the two storied
programs met for the first time in 11 years since Nebraska left the Big 12 for
The Big Ten. The buildup to the two teams meeting again was met with great
national anticipation and excitement behind it. But before we get to the game,
let’s check in with the surrounding action leading up to the seminal event.
Ten strong, we came from the West Coast into Oklahoma City on various flights, drives and covered wagons. We would link up with my Sooner grad daughter and her fiancée, Sasquatch, who live in OKC. We would also meet up with many other friends and family throughout the weekend. Thursday night, we hoisted a few beer masses and had traditional German food in Fassler German Beer Hall in Midtown OKC as a warmup for the next two days. On Friday, half of the crew would go golfing while the other half would go exercise their Second Amendment rights in Maud, OK, on private land. Both groups were equally thirsty upon arriving back at our VRBO mansion. We partook in a few cold lagers and several dips in the pool.This of course is what is called “pre-gaming” before our stretch limo picked us up for our 40-minute ride down to Norman. First stop in Norman was my gold standard for Oklahoma BBQ, Vans Pig Stand. After devouring several pigs, cows and chickens, we stopped by the famous Mont for their signature drink called the Swirl. The Swirl is essentially a very colorful drink full of danger and even more danger. The rest of the evening was spent on Campus Corner at the rooftop bars of Logies and The Porch. With an 11 a.m. kickoff the next morning, it was imperative we get our beauty rest and tuck in early. One a.m. is early,correct?
 |
Van's Pig Stand, the gold standard in BBQ!
|
 |
Golf on Friday and the German beer hall Thursday night.
|
 |
| Friday night fun in Norman. |
Sir Charles the legendary limo driver was out in front of our pad at 7:15 a.m. for the trek back down to Norman. Our first stop was tailgate #1 hosted by Roscoe Ross, John Cox and head chef Kent Coleman located right behind the university’s President's House. This crew did their first tailgate together 20 years ago for a game against these same Nebraska Cornhuskers. They have been doing it for almost every home game ever since. The tailgate griddle was fired up, and we were served amazing breakfast tacos loaded with eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, peppers,onions and much more. The bar was manned by a gentleman named Lane who had people rolling in breakfast cocktails as well as constant laughter. I dare you to ask him for some mulled wine. He too is part of the four core guys that run the tailgate. After having a great start to the day and saying our goodbyes, we marched through the north end of campus to Tailgate #2. In route, we were treated to an up close and personal performance of The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band as they belted out Boomer Sooner marching down Jenkins Avenue. The Fox Sports game day set up in the middle of our route with thousands of people trying to get on TV around it.
 |
Roscoe and Kent, manning the breakfast grill.
|
|
 |
The expanded crew at tailgate #1
|
 |
Sights and sounds from a great breakfast tailgating experience
|
 |
Mulllllllled wine?????????
|
The second tailgate was hosted by my buddy Terry Long, the co-host of the Sooner Football Fans Podcast. Terry treated us to another thirst-quenching, cold libation and the traditional shot of Boomer Sooner fireball. We met up with a number of people there who had joined us in Pasadena two years ago when OU visited UCLA. We said adios and vaya con dios and made our way into the Palace on The Prairie, otherwise known as Owen Field in Gaylord Memorial Stadium.
 |
Tailgating with the Long family!
|
The pomp and pageantry was top notch with the band singing the Alma Mater, the Roughnecks driving the Sooner Schooner, the tribute to the Game of the Century, the Flyover and 85,000 people wearing crimson and cream singing our National Anthem like they meant it. This was a college football setting at its finest. In 1971 when the #1 Cornhuskers came to Norman to take on the #2 Sooners, the game lived up to its billing and beyond. The Cornhuskers led by QB Jerry Tagge and half back Johnny Rodgers bested the Sooners, and their starting QB Jack Mildren and tailback Greg Pruitt, 35-31. Nebraska would go on to be crowned National Champions at the conclusion of the season.
 |
The flyover, the band, the team and Heisman row
|
The sun was high, the humidity was intense and game time temps reached into the mid 90s. There was as much action in the stands with people passing out from the heat as there was on the field. The aid stations were hopping with IV cocktails. The game itself was much closer than predicted. Nebraska was led by QB1 Adrian Martinez who I swear has been there a decade. Martinez kept the Huskers in the game with his arm by picking on the edges of the Sooner Secondary. Spencer Rattler, the presumptive Heisman winner coming into the season had another less than impressive outing. OU’s run game and run defense are what shined for the Sooners the most on the day. Three plays stand out from the game: After Nebraska scored its first touchdown of the day, the attempted extra point kick was partially blocked. Oklahoma’s Pat Fields was standing in the end zone when he caught the blocked kick and returned it 109 yards for a two point score. The other play was the incredibly athletic yet equally bone headed interception by DJ Graham. If you saw the highlight of the pick, the athletic feat was from another world. However, he intercepted the ball on the two yard line on 4th down from the 29 yard line, thus giving up 27 yards. A simple knockdown was the better choice in this situation. The last play was made on back-to-back kick returns by each team. Both team’s returners chose to field balls that would have gone out of bounds and had placed the ball on their own 35 yard line. Both deep in their own territory, they caught the balls in bounds and immediately stepped out of bounds. Final score Oklahoma 23-16. Not the Game of this Century but entertaining nonetheless. The trip back to our pad was analogous to the Bataan death march with the horrendous traffic, the AC not working, lack of H20 and folks turning green.
 |
The DFT Danville crew enjoying the Palace on the Prarie
|
Around the Country - Many exceptional games and upsets took place from sea to shining sea. The Cowboys of Oklahoma State traveled to Boise and roped the Broncos on the Blue Prairie in a 21-20 thriller. Mrs.Tailgate and our #1 offspring will not be on speaking terms for some time. Where is the respect for the Aztecs of San Diego State as they knocked off their second PAC 12 team of the season, upsetting the Utes from Salt Lake City? Danville Native and Monte Vista grad Jack Haener threw for 455 yards and 4 touchdowns as he led Fresno State in an upset over UCLA. The baddest animal in the jungle is the Lion as Penn State chewed up the Auburn Tigers in the White Out game in Happy Valley. Bama survived a close one in the Swamp as the Florida Gators ♭♮♯ Just don’t back down! Notre Dame won another one in South Bend against Purdue in less than impressive fashion for the third time this young season. Could the state of Michigan be back? Sparty chopped down the Canes of Miami and Michigan improves to 3-0 with a romp over NIU. A shout out to Maryland friends as the Terps improved to 3-0 with a Friday night win over Illinois. Is Cincy the cream of the Group of Five schools? They knocked off another Power Five school, taking down Indiana on Saturday, and are ranked in the top ten.
Ginger Award -
Goes to my sweet daughter, Erin, who put up with a heap of testosterone, vulgarity and debauchery all weekend chaperoning me and my crew. What kind of dad lets his daughter be around such a group of wild animals? I don’t think I scored any points in the Dad of the Year contest. Erin showed us Midtown in OK City on Thursday night, Norman on Friday night and was a good sport throughout the weekend. Erin, for your bravery and sacrifice, you are my pick for this week’s prestigious Ginger award. Oh, and thank you for proofreading this blog every week after Mrs.Tailgate’s resignation in 2019.
 |
I raised a Ginger!
|
Bieber Award
- Okay, it pains me to do this against one of my top teams, but Notre Dame has earned its first Biebs. Pretty simple really when you think about it. Purdue has a giant Boilermaker drum that is synonymous with their football team. Where they go, it goes. Unfortunately, it would not fit down the visiting team’s tunnel onto the field. Purdue officials asked Notre Dame’s brass if they could use the home team tunnel. “No” was the answer — the reason being that the tunnel is for Notre Dame only. That just isn’t very hospitable or gracious for one of the classiest institutions in the country. For your snotty action or inaction, you can place the Biebs hardware right next to the Golden Dome for all to marvel at! Honorable mention goes to our chauffeur “Not So Minnie The Moocher” and his sidekick Radio for just being themselves.
Next Up - Monte Vista High School game and tailgate Friday night followed by couch exercising on Saturday. In two weeks, I will be off to watch the Sooners take on Kansas State in Manhattan, KS. This will be my final venue in the current Big 12 to close out another conference in my quest.
Happy tailgating!
