With 35 seconds left in the game and trailing 34-31, all
looked grim for the Wisconsin football team two years ago in Minnesota. With
the Golden Gophers punting deep in their own territory, I sat in disbelief with
my head in my hands.
Seconds later, I was in disbelief again, only it was a good
kind. Freshman Jonathan Casillas had blocked Justin Kucek's punt after Kucek
fumbled it, and Ben Strickland recovered the ball in the end zone, putting UW
up 38-34. Gopher fans were shocked. Badger fans were more than elated.
It was a sports miracle if ever there was one.
This Saturday, I will make my return to the Hubert H. (it
stands for Horatio) Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis to watch the two teams
battle again. Something tells me I won't be the only one sporting cardinal and
white to make the trip. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more than
half of the Dome red amid a pond of maroon and gold.
Two years ago, as a member of the marching band, I traveled
to the sports temple that is the Metrodome to watch that infamous game. This
year, I'm anticipating an entirely different experience, but with the same
result in the win column.
First of all, Saturday will be my first time attending a
Badger football game as a fan, having been with the band for every previous contest.
Never before have I sat in the UW student section at Camp Randall. I've never
been able to join in on all the chants — vulgar or otherwise — the Wisconsin
faithful take part in. After Saturday, this will still be the case, but at
least I will have sat in one student section, albeit Minnesota's.
To be ready, I have been taking diligent notes during home
games on how to conduct myself as a fan.
Just as it is in Madison, tailgating will surely be a staple
for Badger faithful on the road this weekend. With the stadium off campus, I'm
not sure what to expect from the home fans. A few parking lots provide the only
real sites for pregame entertainment. But just because it’s a few hours’ drive
from Madison, what's to stop Badger fans from preparing for the game as if it
were on Breese Terrace?
This whole tailgating thing is another part of the game day
experience I have yet to take part in. The smell of brats is always taunting on
Saturdays, and I envy all of you who fire up your grills and partake in
whatever beverages college kids drink these days — apparently apple juice is a
popular choice — before heading to the stadium.
There is one aspect of the upcoming game that I am not
particularly looking forward to: the fact that it's played indoors.
When God created college football, he meant for it to be
played outside in the open autumn air. Watching a college game in the Metrodome
is truly like watching a game in the depths of the underworld. The ceiling is
dingy, the concourse is tiny and the overall atmosphere is uninspiring. I guess
watching games in football heaven at Camp Randall has spoiled Wisconsin fans.
I fully anticipate some animosity from dejected Gopher fans
before, during and after the game. After all, it's never a picnic for opposing
schools when they visit Madison, and vice versa. The boos and taunting happened
this year at Ohio State in the Horseshoe, and chances are good they will happen
again at the Dome. And for some reason, Gopher fans get excited for this border
battle game every year, no matter how slim their chances of winning.
Most of you will likely run into people on the streets of
Minneapolis who will shout things at you or tell you how bad the Badgers are.
All any Wisconsin fan will have to say to them after, however, is one word: scoreboard.
Don't be too harsh on those Gophers, though. They've had a
rough go at it this year. Their 1-10 record is haunting enough; they don't need
to be told how dismal their team's season has been.
OK, who am I kidding? Go ahead and remind them.
Tyler is a junior
majoring in journalism. If you are making the trek to Minnesota for the game or
would like to reminisce about that magical game in 2005, let him know at [email protected].
