It's a Long Way to Winston Salem

"Hey Brent...do you want to go to Wake Forest or Penn State for this years long road trip?"  Brent answered "BOTH!"

We have gone to several road games over the years and as many 4 road trips a year.  We decided to scale back this year until I asked the question.  I knew better than to ask, but yet I still did.  See Brent is even more crazy about tailgating than I am.  He never goes outside for fun or work while at home, but drive a few hours and party in a parking lot and he is on board. So we headed out for Winston Salem on Friday morning!

We stopped in Bloomington to pick up the other son, Brandon.  From there we had a nine hour trip to our hotel.

Man its a long way to Winston Salem!

We drove through Mountains....literally, and over them as well.  We drove in sunshine and we drove in rain.  We simply drove and drove and drove.

B-Rent & Brandon at Applebee's

Friday night in Winston Salem,we met up with Sammy Jacobs from Hoosier Huddle and had dinner at Applebee's. When on the road, it is always enjoyable for people to ask where you are from and what brings you to town. Wearing our Indiana gear, we were asked this a few times. An early wake up call on Saturday morning was needed so we could head out for the game bright and early.

We were the second vehicle in the lots and parked near the Indiana Alumni Association of Charlotte group outing.  They really brought a crowd.  It was estimated that over 300 Hoosier fans were in this section of the parking lot.  The pregame festivities were some of the best in recent memories.

Mom Reed

Dads--- McCray & Feeney

   

Hoosier Great Anthony Thompson 

One of the benefits of having a tailgate bar, is that it draws a lot of attention.  This past Saturday was no exception.  We were blessed with parents of Hoosier players, journalists, alumni from Charlotte, Charleston, S.C., and Atlanta along with Hoosier great Anthony Thompson.  The best part of tailgating is the people you meet.

New friends Kyle and Bailey Chase
From Charleston, S.C.

Saturday was simply an outstanding pregame, followed by another victory! How sweet it is.  Until that wake up call at 5:30 on Sunday morning for that long drive home.  We made it.... by 5:00 pm back home to Delphi.

Man, its a long way home!


GAME RECAP

Indiana played an outstanding game for three and a half quarters.  Building up a 31-10 lead with under 10 minutes to go, had us relaxed.  Uh Oh!  After two Wake Forest touchdowns and an onside kick recovery we were facing defeat out of nowhere.  Fortunately, the defense was able to hold the Deacons at bay and preserve the victory.

Saturday night and the drive home were much more fun after a victory!  Indiana is 4-0.  Indiana made a push to get ESPN College GameDay to come to Bloomington.  It is a lot of fun to feel good about Hoosier Football.  It's a long season and not saying we are a great team, but we are winning games that we have lost in the past.  WE ARE 4-0!

a plea not answered

That's my View from the Tailgate Lot!

Just Win Baby!

A father and a son, bound together by birth, often share common interests.  These bonds allow for a mutual understanding and for great fellowship.  For the Tonsoni men, Indiana University athletics is a huge source of happiness.  We are usually happy to just be in attendance, however, winning always makes these sporting events special.

Brandon, the oldest, is the calmest fan of the three Tonsoni men.  He roots hard for the teams, but takes each game in stride.  Brent, the youngest, is the most heavily invested in the Hoosiers and gets very emotional with every win and loss.   Brent is also the eternal optimist who believes in his teams no matter what. Dad, I am like Brent with anger issues.  Been known to cast doubt (putting it lightly), to leave my seats, and to promise I may never come back.

Brent, Dad, Brandon-  Tailgate posing

Three different Tonsoni men all of which love the Indiana Hoosiers!  We love it when they win, are down with each loss and we keep on coming back regardless of result or reaction.

So, on Saturday, our football Hoosiers won their third game of the season.  The third second half comeback.  The 38-35 victory was hard fought and was secured with a great all around half of play.  This was much needed as the Hoosiers fell behind early.  Opportunistic defense and an offense that put up over 600 yards were the reasons for the victory.  As the clock ran out, Brent turned to me and said, "It doesn't matter how we do it, just win baby!"

Section 11 Ushers Kathy and Kevin- best in the biz!

Tailgate update:

 A morning full of hard rain and wind delayed the start of our festivities.  The rain eventually subsided and we were able to enjoy the pregame.  The surprise of the tailgate was a visit from Indiana Athletic Director Fred Glass.  He drove his golf cart out to the purple lot to find our tailgate.  We had a nice discussion on the history and set up of our tailgate.  We all were shocked but very appreciative.  He had read the blog and wanted to meet us!  So cool.

Me, Athletic Director Fred Glass, Tim Shrewsbury

I had shared the blog with a member of the athletic department as part of the fan experience board that I am a part of this year.  So far we have had visits from Jeremy Gray and Fred Glass of the athletic department.

We also have media members joining us.  Our sponsor, Sammy Jacobs of Hoosier Huddle is a regular, but this week we were joined by Ken Bikoff, host of the Peegs.com podcast.  We really appreciate these guys for sharing their thoughts and for stopping by our tailgate.

Brent, Brian White (claims he is my 3rd son), Dad

Week 2 Indiana vs Florida International

"2-0", "2-0", "2-0" was chanted as the masses, well about four of us actually, stood to celebrate the end of the game on Saturday night in Bloomington.  For fans of the Indiana football program, this is fun to chant.  On the way to this "2-0" start, we as fans, watched with trepidation as the game was rather close and not decided until late in the fourth quarter.

Right in front of us in section 11, the game came down to a 4th down 2 yards to go situation.  Time left in the game was right around four minutes, with IU leading 29-22.  The question in our section was if FIU would go for 2 pt conversion after they scored.  This is how many Indiana football games have ended in the past.

After a time out, the teams returned to the field. The ball was snapped, the defense gets great penetration, the secondary has receivers covered.  The quarterback scrambles toward our side of the field. My mind is thinking, "Come on, one play."  Just then a big hit by linebacker Marcus Oliver, the ball floats in air desperately trying to find a landing spot.  Wait...can it be... YES!  A play is made by safety Jameel Cook Jr. who is the landing spot for the errant pass and he just doesn't catch it, he takes in 96 yards to paydirt.  Indiana football made a play.  Indiana football won, Indiana football made their own breaks. And YES!, Indiana football is "2-0!"

The Branhams

Brent and Jared Warren

Tailgate update:  Another solid tailgate on Saturday.  Always good to see friends in the tailgate lots.

The Sisters

The Handys

Tailgater of the day:  Aaron Binford-(friend of Brandon)  he eats like crazy, has a great sense of humor and put up with a serious Dad Tonsoni ribbing.

Food of the Day:  Cuban Sandwiches-  Thanks to my buddy Sammy Jacobs suggestion of serving food known to be popular in the states of our opponents.  This sandwich consists of sliced pork roast, ham, swiss cheese, dill pickel, mustard on a toasted bun.  They were well received.

Sammy Jacobs of Hoosier Huddle

News of the Day:  Tailgate member Liz Retana has a boyfriend!  We approve! ( not shown in pic)

Liz and Tonsoni men

Ten hour tailgate makes for a great day.  An Indiana victory makes a great day an excellent day! Friends make it an unforgettable day!

That's my take from the tailgate lot!

Indiana vs Southern Illinois - Game 1

  Another season of Indiana University football has begun.  Game one was last Saturday against Southern Illinois.  This season is an important one for the program as its the fifth year for Coach Wilson and the fan base is anticipating a winning season.

The set up

The late 4:00 p.m. start on Satudrday allowed for some great tailgating.  We started out the year with a bang.  The Tonsoni family arrived at 7:00 a.m. to begin the set up only to discover that we had to relocate this year due to new RV parking taking our old spot.  So we just moved a little to the west and occupied a good-sized piece of territory.  We were set up within a half hour and the party commenced.  We had breakfast burritos and Chicago style hot dogs plus plenty of chips, desserts, and drinks.

Bobby Urban visits early in morning

Nick Stoner with Brent Tonsoni

We had 56 people stop by the tailgate at some point during the pregame festivities.  This is on the high end of our normal tailgate attendance.  It's always nice to reunite with old friends and meet some new friends as well.  This week we had a few of IU's finest stop by the tailgate: Jeremy Gray, assistant athletic director; Nick Stoner, former IU wide receiver; and five IU basketball managers. Always nice to talk to people connected to IU athletics.  All represent what is great about IU athletics.

Amy Tonsoni with her boys

Brandon Tonsoni with Stef Mayhew

The game was exciting and concluded with an unexpected tight outcome. We are all happy with winning the football game but also worried that our defense is again a point of concern.  All respect to Southern Illinois but this game should have been decided much earlier than a defensive stop of a 2-point conversion with 19 seconds left.  I am holding out hope that our 2nd half performance was more of what we will see.


So week one is complete, the biggest issue was the extreme heat.  This large man does not deal with heat very well.  So, here's to reduced temperatures, better defense and more tailgating fun!


That's my take from the tailgate lot!

Delphi teachers at the tailgate