Sunday, November 28th 2021

 This year we hosted Thanksgiving for the Salton side of the family in Ames.  Amy & Brandon brought over their kids from Omaha, and Eben came down from the farm on Thusday.  We had our big Thanksgiving meal that night.  I ordered a smoked turkey breast from Whatcha Smokin, Amy made stuffing, cranberry sause, broccoli / rice / cheese casserole, pumpkin pie, and apple pie.  I also made some scalloped cord.  The smoked turkey was very good, and it was nice not to have to prepare the turkey myself.  Dad left yesterday, while the Shostaks stayed until today.  The cousins had plenty of time to play together, which was nice.

On Friday, I took Amy over to the ISU football game vs TCU.  The Cyclones ended up dominating the game, winning 48-14.  I will miss this year's group of seniors, including Brock Purdy, Mike Rose, Chase Allen, Charlie Kolar, Greg Eisworth, and others.  But the player who really stole the show (and propably played his last game at Jack Trice) was Breece Hall.  Hall had 242 rushing yards, three rushing TDs, and another receiving TD.  He even scored on an 80-yard run in the fourth quarter.  

This marked the fifth time that I had attended a football game between Iowa State and TCU.  The Cyclones also won in 2019 and 2017, while TCU was victorious in 2015 and in 2005.  It had also been 10 years since Amy had gone to a football game with me, the last time being the UNI game in 2011.  She really needs to make it to games more often!

Our seats for the game were in section 25 row 31.

Sunday, November 21st, 2021

 Maxwell and I just got back from Hilton Coliseum, where we saw the Cyclones dominate the Grambling State Tigers, 82-47.  Grambling State is a member of the SWAC conference, the same conference as last game's opponent, Alabama State.  

The Cyclones played well overall today.  They shot 13-25 from three point land, and they out-rebounded the Tigers, 46-22.  Aljaz "Jaz" Kunc was the player of the game for Iowa State.  He scored 21 points on a perfect 7-7 field goals, including 5-5 from three.  Kunc was joined in double figures scoring by teammates Tristan Enaruna (15), Tyrese Hunter (12), Tre Jackson (12), and Caleb Grill (10).  

Tonight was the 15th men's basketball game that I have taken Maxwell to.  The previous time was against Kansas State in 2020.  

"Maxwell, smile nice..."

Tuesday, November 16th, 2021

 Tonight I took Nolan with me to Hilton, where we watched Iowa State defeat the Hornets of Alabama State, 68-60.

The game itself was pretty ugly.  The Cyclones shot an icy-cold 1-20 from three-point range.  Despite the cold shooting, Iowa State's defense kept them in the game, as they forced 23 turnovers by the Hornets.  Izaiah Brockington was the player of the game for Iowa State.  He led the team in scoring (23 points) and rebounds (13).  Tyrese Hunter was the only other Cyclone in double figures, with 19 points.  

Tonight was the 22nd men's basketball game that Nolan has been to, and it was the second game he has seen this season (the first was vs Kennesaw State).  This was the second time that I have seen the Cyclones defeat Alabama State.  The previous time was back in 2018.  

Go Cyclones!

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.