[NU Sports] Walker's Future

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> Most times we play Michigan in Evanston, the stadium
> is completely sold 
> out, usually packed with a suprisingly balanced mix

Yeah - not like Iowa or Behdger games. I think it's
because Big Blue - like the Doh!mers - have their
share of haters and the casual Chicago fan who may
trek up to Evanston loves to see Michigan fail.

> 1998 was the year of the massive rainfall.  NU
> almost won it.  2000 was, 
> of course, 54-51, where one high-powered offense

I know '98 was homecoming because the band had to play
on Touchdown Terrace with the field so soaked - but I
don't think 2000 was homecoming (I believe that
fateful Purdoo game was) because I remember being in
the stands that day for that incredible finish --
maybe not ND'95, but surely the most exciting game
I've ever seen in person.

Which leads to a fun story on the 2000 game. The fans
behind us -- as usual:( -- sold their tickets to
opposing fans. So all day, we had to hear two sauced
UM fans screaming "whoooooo! there goes the A-train!"
Well, when Mr. Thomas made his blessed blunder, my mom
-- who has a bit more spunk than myself and is a loyal
fan -- turned around and said "well, the A-train just
derailed." I think the 20somethings were either too
stunned by the turnover or by some tiny middle-aged
woman just smacking them down verbally that they just
sat jaw-dropped while the rest of the folks around
couldn't help but laugh.

And these stories about Iowa '96 also bring warm
memories being on the field with NUMB that day. I can
just remember looking up at the stats board in Kinnick
and being amazed at how thoroughly we had dominated
them on the ground that day. Any win over Hayden and
the Hated Hawks is good, but that thrashing in the
cornfield was just special. Aaah!

I expect the rest of our home games -- with the
possible exception of Iowa, though they are struggling
now -- to be similar to the lifetime's worth of
thrillers that we've been blessed to see in Evanston
in the last decade. I dunno if we'll always come out
on top -- last week proved we can just as easily get
burned by the cardiac finishes -- but they should be
entertaining.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!


		
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