Move over Idalia

 

The sunshine state!

What has now become a tradition for the last 10 years, I was once again joined by my college friend known as Tubby for a trifecta Labor Day weekend. We were also joined throughout the weekend by another college friend, Sparky Pomeroy, and our buddies the Butcher and Ouzie. When planning a three day weekend for football games in September, it’s probably best not to do it in a state known for high humidity and heat this time of the year. That said, after all the sweating throughout the weekend, I am proud to announce that I too can now wear skinny jeans. The weekend commenced 24 hours after hurricane Idalia packed a heavy punch through north Florida.

Our first stop was Orlando to watch the University of Central Florida take on the Golden Flashes of Kent state. UCF is the newest member of the Big 12 and one of the largest schools in the country with 68,000 of students. The stadium is known as the bounce house because the fans like to bounce up and down and make the place rock. We were treated to an amazing halftime performance by the marching band who did a tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire. We also saw the SpaceX launch during the second half of the game. 

The game itself was mostly a one-sided affair, dominated by the golden knights of UCF. Although Kent State showed some grit in the first half, by the second half the superior talent, speed and conditioning of the golden knights was very apparent. Kent State players appeared to be running in quicksand against the much faster UCF squad. UCF won by a commanding score of 56-6.

Game one, let us not forget that UCF was the self proclaimed national champions in 2017. Bottom right is the spaceX launch we saw.

On Friday, we linked up with the aforementioned Sparky and Ouzie for the University of Miami versus Miami of Ohio battle in Miami, FL. After throwing up our tailgate tent, tables, grills, music and beer pong tables, we grilled some beer brats and hotdogs, accompanied by amazing sides and desserts. A good portion of the tailgate was spent standing under the tent as the heavens opened up on us and dumped a large quantity of H2O onto the area. We were treated to some thunder and lightning, and the game was delayed for 30 minutes.

Hunkering down under the tent during the storm. Winners of the Tailgate Connect drawing, and a sparsely attended Hurricanes home game.

The University of Miami is a member of the ACC and plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium, which is 15 miles away from campus and also serves as the home field for the Miami Dolphins. While it’s a perfect NFL stadium, it’s the antithesis of perfection for a college atmosphere. Miami of Florida was clearly the better team throughout the night in the very cavernous stadium. It’s hard to tell whether they’ve improved or we’re just playing lesser competition. Final score of this match was Miami, FL 38, Miami, OH 3.

Game three on Saturday placed us in the picturesque town of Boca Raton, Florida, on the campus of Florida Atlantic University. It was a beautiful afternoon for a tailgate. We grilled burgers infused with blue cheese and bacon followed by two pans of chicken wings, totaling 100 in all. The Tailgate Connect tent was going full force with a special drawing and lots of interest from fellow tailgaters. An ample number of Yuenglings were consumed without any effect due to the sweat factor. 

FAU plays on Schnellenberger field at FAU stadium. Built in 2011, the on-campus venue seats 30,000 fans. The opponent on the day was Monmouth from New Jersey who plays at the FCS level. FAU was known for its Cinderella story this past year when they reached the final four in basketball. In the past they have been coached by Howard Schnellenberger and Lane Kiffin. The current coach is former Texas head honcho Tom “put your hands in your pits” Herman. FAU QB Casey Thompson also played for Herman at Texas. The game turned out to be the third blowout of the weekend we witnessed. FAU prevailed in the contest with a tally of 42 to Monmouth’s 20. We finished off a great weekend with a visit to a cigar bar complemented by a nice glass of neat whiskey. Then it was a nine hour drive back to my crib in NW Florida on Sunday morning. But prior to my departure on Sunday, I toured the Lynn University (formerly Marymount) campus where my two oldest siblings matriculated from many decades ago.

My doppleganger the Owl, portable beer pong getting another workout and the cozy FAU Stadium.

The victory cigars!

Around the country: Coach Prime in Colorado shocked the world by knocking off TCU in Fort Worth. Brian Kelly and his family got scalped by the Seminoles in Mickie world. Penn State took a bite out of the mountaineers in Happy Valley. Are the Sooners back as they put up 73 points against Butch “Sergeant Carter” Jones and the Arkansas State pigskin squad?  The soon to be PAC 12 or now known as the Tupac go 12 and 0 for the first time ever on opening weekend. In the battle for the Carolinas, the north beat the south in Charlotte. On Monday night the nation witnessed the unthinkable: Duke not only beat Clemson but absolutely destroyed them. Isn’t Duke supposed to be just a basketball school? The Gators were eaten alive by the Utes on Thursday in SLC.

Ryan Lufkin and the Utah Pig Bus crew grilling up some gator!

The Kernans at the Hampden Sydney opener.

Bieber:- Although LSU coach Brian Kelly should be in contention this week for stating that they were going to beat the crap out of Florida State, he is not the winner. This week’s Bieber is a collective. It is anyone — specifically sports commentators, but also college football fans — who after one week declares somebody is a Heisman candidate. I get so nauseated at hearing so-and-so (who had one great game during the week) is all of a sudden a front runner for the Heisman. Settle down folks, it’s a long season and one game does not make a person a legend. Let the season play out and see if that person that played so great in week one plays great for the next 12 weeks. Then you can pop off all you want about who is a contender or front runner for the Heisman. Until then, all you got is this Bieber award, which you can treasure for the rest of your life!

Ginger: My #3 for flying into the lion’s den of Fort Worth to root on her beloved CU Buffaloes against TCU. The abuse she must have braved by jilted Horn Frog fans must have been unbearable as she stood tall in the saddle (actually she is only 5’2) with great pride.  Way to be a badass, little one.I will see you in three weeks for Dad’s Weekend. Get those beer funnels warmed up for me.

Next up: There is a very strong possibility I will drive over to Tallahassee for Florida State’s Saturday night game against Southern Mississippi.

Happy Tailgating!