From Thumped to Rout

What a difference a year makes. Last year, we watched Western Michigan University (WMU) get thumped by Buffalo, 33-0. We had great expectations this year, and we were not disappointed.

Our drive to Kalamazoo started on schedule at 6:30 AM and we had a carload with all the food and drinks for the tailgating party, four adults and three boys - the twins and their friend, CJ. The two and a half hour drive wasn't bad although the entire morning was cloudy. There was no rain in the forecast, and the weather forecast was right on. The sun came out during our tailgating party and by game time, it was sunny and 60.

We have lots of photos for this entry, so let's get started.

The tailgate party was in a different - and better - location this year. There is a group of players' parents that gather before each home game in this new location that is much more convenient to the stadium. In fact, we walk to the game from this parking area where the tail gate party is held. Below are some shots of the tailgate party.

The crowd for our party was about 30 (or so) people and we were in a corner of the parking area that was reserved by one of the couples at 5:30 AM so that we would get this choice spot. Here is the crowd:

There were many shots taken during the party and below are just a couple of those:

And these two photos of one of the many "toasts" during the party:

Josie, Patty and I talk a short walk to the campus Bookstore about a block away during the party to pick up a couple WMU logo items to wear for the game. The bookstore was super crowded as you can imagine, and this shot was taken while were standing in line to check-out:

The party ended and everybody packed up their individual leftovers and headed to the stadium for the game. The stadium was packed for this game, and we had our same front row, 50 yard line seats that we enjoyed last year. This is a shot of the packed stadium at the start of the game:

It was like night vs day. This year's team is so much improved over last year's that you would hardly even know it was the same school. They won only one game the whole year in 2013, and yesterday was their attempt at winning number 5 with three more games to follow. Austin was super as the special teams leader and we got lots of good pictures of him during the game. Below is a good representation of these photos:

He and one other player were responsible for causing, and recovering, a fumble on one of the punts in the fourth quarter. The team played nearly flawlessly and led in the game, 42-14, with 3.5 minutes left in the game:

The defense got a little sloppy in those last three minutes and, as a result of a couple stupid penalties, allowed Ohio to score one final touchdown with time running out to make the final score 42-21. They are getting very close to qualifying for a post season bowl game, and that is causing some real excitement at the University, not to mention for all of us. They are now 5-3 and expect to win at least two of the three remaining games. Patty took a couple shots of us while watching the game, one of which is below:

We all met with Austin following the game and before he went in to take his shower:

The day ended with a visit to Austin's home where he is rooming with three other football buddies, and dinner at a nice sports bar in Kalamazoo - AFB Bar and Grill. It was a terrific day that ended with a long drive home and going to bed at 10:30 PM. This will certainly rank as the highlight of our trip to Chicago this year...