I have been to a lot of Iowa vs. Iowa State football games. I got season tickets my freshman year of college and have been a season ticket holder ever since.
In the past 15 years, there have been a lot of great games. I’ve seen Iowa win and lose, both at home and in Ames.
This year, for the first time, I wasn’t as fearful as I usually am when the rivalry weekend rolls around. I don’t want to seem big-headed, but Iowa State just didn’t scare me.
I think Iowa State’s new coach will be great for the school. I won’t pretend to have any extensive knowledge about the football team or the coach, but from my first impression, I think he will have more of a big picture approach to the season.
To be more specific, it has been a while since ISU has really competed in the Big 12. I think Campbell will look to change that and not just at a victory against their instate rival. I could be wrong, but I honestly hope it works out that way.
Back to this year’s game. We arrived in Iowa City after making our annual stop at Scheel’s to grab some new apparel.
Our luck has always been we are in the gold section during black and gold spirit games. It was exciting the first time, and I had high hopes we would switch up and be black, which I own a lot more of, but nope, we are always gold.
We then headed to our tailgating spot near Hancher Auditorium. I’m not sure how we found that area to park so many years ago, but it is a great tailgating lot with a lot of open space and not far from the stadium.
I went to visit my niece, who is a freshman this year at Iowa, in her dorm before she headed out for the day. It was great walking around campus, but I immediately felt my age as I weaved through girls wearing way too little and boys dressing like my brother in the early 90s.
We left our first tailgate to visit family who tailgates in a hidden lot in a valley of buildings. After grabbing some snacks it was time to head toward Kinnick.
There is nothing like going into the stadium for the first time of the season. We couldn’t go to the game last week because it fell on our youngest daughter’s birthday. Princess parties trump even Iowa football.
The game went as I thought it would. It has been a while since I had been to a game where Iowa just dominated. I can remember looking up to see how much time was left and we were still in the third quarter.
Yes, I am rubbing it in a little bit, but I try to enjoy the good times when they are here. I do have to give major compliments to the Iowa State band, which set up camp right next to where we sit. They were loud, consistent and played songs from this decade. I found myself clapping along with them on more then one occasion before remembering they weren’t for my team.
I am looking forward to this season and the great home games we have. I know it is extremely unlikely that we will repeat what we did last year — 12-0 — but a girl came dream.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson
at jpierson@newtondailynews.com