Visiting Jack Trice Stadium

Greg and Ern, a couple of friends of mine, went to Louisiana to see the LSU game. This freed up their Iowa State University tickets for the weekend so they offered them to Linda and me. ISU was playing the University of Northern Iowa, one of Linda's favored teams, so it was particularly attractive. Dave, another friend and the third member of the season ticket triad, was still going so we hitched a ride with him. Dave went to ISU and has been going to games for a while now so he knew a less used way in and what proved to be a GREAT way out.

We arrived early enough to get parked, walk to the stadium, chat with a few of Linda's UNI fan friends, and get to our seats in time for all pre-game festivities. The crowd was clearly looking forward to the game. The stands were filled with a sea of cardinal with flecks of gold. This was going to be fun!

The Cyclones started with a touchdown but missed the extra point. UNI answered with a field goal and two touchdowns to go into half up seventeen to six. The collective shoulders drooped as low as the expectations that had been so high only an hour or so before. This had been a game ISU fans expected to be challenging but one they would win. Not so much now.

After last year's experiences where Drake had no halftime show, it was nice to see the excellent shows that UNI and ISU put on for us. ISU had a Star Trek theme that was very entertaining.

The UNI Panthers added another touchdown in the third and ISU added one in the fourth. UNI won 24-13. Body English of those in red said "we're not gonna win a game all year." Time will tell...

Setting aside the final score, it was a nice experience. Thanks Ern. Thanks Greg.