Friday, November 12th, 2021

 Tonight I went by myself to watch Iowa State's defensive battle with Oregon State.  The Cyclones wound up defeating the Beavers, 60-50.  

Coming into tonight's game, Oregon State was favored to win.  They were an NCAA tournament team last year (that actually made the Elite 8).  So it was nice to see the Cyclones play well and come away with a hard fought victory.

I would say that Izaiah Brockington was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.  The only other player (for either team) in double figures was Gabe Kalscheur, who had 15 points.  Iowa State did a good job of boxing out and rebounding, as they won the rebounding battle 39-34, over a team that had a size advantage on the Cyclones.  It seems like coach Otz has the team playing tough defense and focusing on rebounding and hustle.  Even if this team does not end up winning a lot of games this year, they will be fun to watch and easy to root for.

Tuesday, November 9th, 2021

Tonight I was able to take Nolan over to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched ISU's season opener, a 84-73 victory over the Owls of Kennesaw State.  The Owls are members of the Atlantic Sun Conference. 

This game marks the start of T.J. Otzelberger's era as head coach of the Cyclones.  It was nice to finally get to watch a basketball game in Hilton again, since I was unable to attend any games last year due to covid.  The game itself was not perfect, and there were a total of 57 fouls called in the game, which made it last about 30 minutes longer than usual.  Anyways, the Cyclones did play with a lot of defensive effort, which was nice to see.

I would say that Gabe Kalscheur was the player of the game for ISU, as he led the team in scoring with 19 points.  He also put in a lot of work on the defensive end.  Gabe was joined in double figures scoring for ISU by Izaiah Brockington (18), Tyrese Hunter (11), Caleb Grill (11), and Tre Jackson (10).  

I believe that tonight is the 21st ISU men's basketball game that Nolan has attended.  The last time I took him to a game was ISU's victory over Texas in 2020.  

Here I am with Nolan before the game.  He really wanted a Dr. Pepper to drink.

84-73, Cyclones!

Sunday, Novermer 7th, 2021

Yesterday was quite the day filled with tailgating and football, and I am happy to say that I was able to watch as the Iowa State Cyclones dominated the Texas Longhorns, 30-7.

The first half of the game was fairly uneventful, as the Longhorns led 7-3 at halftime.  However, in the third quarter Iowa State was able to score 3 touchdowns and completely took control of the game.  Breece Hall took an option play around the left end and scampered 47 yards for a TD.  Then Iowa State really took control of the game on a trick play, where Xavier Hutchinson threw a 49-yard TD pass to Tarique Milton.  Iowa State's defence played well all game, as they held Texas to just 205 yards of total offense.  

For our tailgate we had a "beef" theme.  Ryan Butler smoked some beef ribs, and Kyle Perkins made some picanha.  My contribution was just some dried beef, pickle, and cream cheese dip with crackers.  

This was the fourth time that I have attended a football game between Texas and Iowa State, and now that Texas is set to join the SEC, it may be the last time that I see them play.  It was great to send them out of the conference with a loss!  The previous years that I have seen ISU and Texas play were ISU victories in 2019 and 2015, while the Longhorns prevailed in 2011.  

Here was my view of the game in section T.  You can see lots of people with the flashlights of their phones on in this picture.  Go Cyclones!

Another fun thing that happened yesterday is that Maxwell and Nolan received their first covid vaccinations!  Originally I had planned to take Nolan to the football game with me today, but those plans changed once we were able to schedule their shots.  So the boys stayed home with Elizabeth and enjoyed a relaxing day watching videos while I was at the tailgate / game.

Saturday, October 23rd, 2021

 Happy Homecoming Cyclone Nation!!

I am happy to say that today I was able to attend Iowa State's 24-21 victory over the Cowboys of Oklahoma State!  I have now seen ISU defeat every Big 12 conference foe in person, with the exception of the Oklahoma Sooners.  Today was the fourth time that I had attended an ISU/OSU football game.  Previous times were in 2019, 2015, and in 2013.  

Since it was homecoming today, I also helped to push LaVonne in her wheelchair while she performed with the Alumni Band.  That included the usual practice at the Bergstrom facility, taking pictures with the band, lunch at the Scheman building, marching to the field, and then doing the halftime show.  This was the seventh time that I have helped LaVonne with this (we did not do it last year due to Covid).

Elizabeth brought Nolan and Maxwell out to the tailgate lots to hang with out friends from Chicago (Sara, Mike, their kids, and some of their friends).  After the game we all went out to Hickory Park for a nice meal.  It was really nice to see some old friends again.

Here was our view of the game.  Instead of sitting along the sidelines like in past years, they had us sit in handicap accessible seats about the rest of the band.

Here I am helping LaVonne with rehearsal before the game.  

Sunday, October 17th, 2021

This weekend I took Elizabeth and the boys down to Manhattan, Kansas, for a little adventure.  I'm glad to say that we were able to watch a very well played game by the Cyclones, as they defeated Kansas State on the road for the first time since 2004!  

We actually headed over to Omaha on Friday (we took the day off from work / school), and we grabbed lunch with Amy at Benson Brewery.  The cousins were able to hang out and play with each other that afternoon.  After spending the night in Omaha, we drove down early to Manhattan.  Our plan was to grab lunch at the So Long Saloon, which opened at 11:00.  We arrived around 11:05, and the place was completely full and had an hour wait for a table!  We ended up grabbing what seemed like the last table at Tanner's Bar & Grill, just across the street.  Aggieville was sure a busy place.  After lunch we had the boys play at a local park, we swam at the hotel pool, and then we headed over for some tailgaiting.  

As for the game, Breece Hall took the opening play for the Cyclones 75 yards for a touchdown, and Iowa State seemed to be in control from there on out.  Andrew Mevis connected on 4 field goals, and the Cyclones went on to win by a score of 33-20.  Kickoff for the game was 6:30, so it was a pretty late night for the boys.

This was Nolan's 6th football game that he has attended.  The last game that I took him to was earlier this year against UNI.

This was only the second game that Maxwell has attended.  His first was in 2019 vs UNI.  

As for myself, this marks the fourth time that I have seen Iowa State play Kansas State in football.  The previous times were a win in 2018, and losses in 2016 and 2014.  This was also the first conference road game that I have attended.

Here we are having lunch at Tanner's

I'm not sure it I approve of the glassware

Myself and the boys at Bill Snyder Family Stadium

The view from our seats (section 430, row 10, seats 7-10).

Sunday, October 10th, 2021

 This weekend I took the boys up to grandpa Eben's place so that they could ride around in the combine.  We spent most of yesterday helping him with the corn harvest at "Brinkley's" farm, which is about 3/4 of a mile north on N14 from Eben's place, on the East side of the road.  I drove the grain cart while Eben combined, and the boys took turns riding with each of us.  I think that the boys enjoyed helping out on the farm.  We also stopped by his hired man's farm (Bryan Sundall's place), and the boys especially enjoyed playing with his little black kitten.  

Tuesday, October 5th, 2021

 This past Satuday I took my cousin David with me to watch Iowa State's dominant victory over the Kansas Jayhawks, 59-7.  I believe that the 59 points scored by Iowa State are the most that I have seen them score in person at a football game.  

Before the game we enjoyed an "Oktoberfest" themed tailgate in the G7 lot.  I brought some bratwurst that I had simmered in Old Milwaukee the night prior.  People also brought homemade pretzles, homemade mustard, and a variety of other German foods.  I also brought some tasty German Oktoberfest beers from Weihenstephaner, Paulaner, and Ayinger.  

The game itself was a complete blowout from the start.  Brock Purdy threw for 4 touchdowns... in the first quarter!  Xavier Hutchinson, Charlie Kolar, Joe Scates, and Jirehl Brock were the recipients of those TD passes.  Anyways, this marked the seventh time that I have watched ISU play (and defeat) Kansas in football.  The previous years were in 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011, and back in 2002.  

David and I sat way up in Section A for the game.  

I am looking forward to the weekend of October 16th, when I will take Elizabeth and both of the boys down to the game at Kansas State.  Go Cyclones!