Early last week I vowed and declared that we weren’t going to Starkville for the Mississippi State / Auburn game. VOWED AND DECLARED.
And I had reasons, too.
Oh, it’s just so hard to get over there when the games are at 11.
The sun will be brutal that time of day.
I have so much stuff that I need to get done – I just can’t be out of town again.
Last year’s Auburn game nearly killed me. I don’t think I can sit through another nail biter.
But sometime around Thursday, my resolve started to weaken. Happens to me every single time that the ‘Dogs have a big game. By 5 o’clock Friday afternoon, I was making Serious Plans. And by 6:30 Saturday morning, we were on our way to see the ‘Dogs play.
I AM A WEAK AND WAVERING VESSEL.
But listen. Everything worked out beautifully in the end. For one thing, the high on Saturday was 80, so mercifully there was no chance of a heat stroke. For another thing, it was really overcast for 90% of the game, so the sunburn factor was minimal.
(I should probably mention that my hair, once again, was a catastrophe.)
(I blame the misting rain that settled in around 9:30 that morning.)
(And unfortunately, despite my best efforts, my hair never recovered.)
The game got off to a little bit of a slow start, but the ‘Dogs played really, really well. The passed and they ran and they tackled and they intercepted, and when it was all said and done, they beat those Tigers and walked off the field with a 28-10 victory.
You can imagine our delight.
Because we wrapped it in maroon and white.
And suddenly I seem to fancy myself a poet.
The whole game was a blast. The students stayed the whole time – which makes a huge difference – and the stadium was loud, rowdy (in a good way), and very, very maroon. I even had a personal cowbell monitor (his name is Alex) who made sure that I was following the letter of the law in terms of when I was ringing my cowbell. At State there are rules about when we’re supposed to ring the bells and when we’re supposed to yell, and there’s a young’un in this house who takes those rules mighty seriously. The Southeastern Conference would be tickled with his dedication to keeping the cowbells in line. Honestly, there was a point in the third quarter when I mistakenly rang my cowbell when we were on defense, and I was somewhat afeared that my own child was going to issue me some sort of Unauthorized Cowbell Usage citation.
(After my friend Daph reads that those last couple of sentences, it will take her anywhere from five to ten seconds to send me a text about how she’ll never understand why in the world anyone in the SEC gives a rip about how often we ring our cowbells, especially since cowbells are one of our most beloved traditions.)
(That text will immediately be followed by one from my sister, who will add a tidbit of SEC history and then remark that no one has ever seemed concerned about the volume of the sideline speakers at Tennessee games.)
(State folks are a fiercely loyal bunch, if you haven’t noticed that already.)
After the game the little guy enjoyed his first introduction to the wonder of another Bulldog tradition.
Fried cheese from Harvey’s.
And yes, I realize that it’s not Paleo / low carb / remotely healthy, but OH, IT IS TASTY. And we’d just won our SEC opener for the first time since 1999, so that seemed like pretty good cause for fried cheese celebration. Plus, I ordered a salad for my meal, so all those vegetables totally cancelled out any of the ill-effects from BATTERED AND DEEP FRIED CHEESE.
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Anyway, it was a great day. As was today. I even sighed a little bit when we went out to eat after church and asked for a table outside. Because the temperature was in the 70s. And glorious.
How was your weekend?
The weather has been lovely here in Virginia, too. Downright yummy! Probably rather like your cheesy side dish ;)
I had a great weekend in which not much was accomplished other than a moderate state of relaxed. Come to think of it, QUITE A BIT was accomplished. Sleep well!
That was a marvelous day! Oh how I miss the fried cheese from Harvey’s, and with that ranch dressing. It make my heart happy to hear how much your Alex loves our Bulldogs!
We were not ‘ringing responsibly’ here in Florida. My poor hubby (MSU grad 96) had to leave to do a funeral and paused the game in the midst of the 2nd quarter. He avoided all texts and phone calls and spoke to no one that might mention the game. I’m guessing he didn’t get the “friendlies pastor” award that day. But, he certainly got the happiest pastor award later in the day. #hailstate
This made me laugh so loud! Go Dawgs!!!!!
I’m so glad you were there…you would have definitely been kicking yourself later if you had missed it! I know it meant for a long day…but that’s totally worth it when you get to cheer your team to a win. Does make me a little nervous for when y’all travel to Tuscaloosa next month though!!
I love your writing! It’s just simply…well put. Especially all posts that end with a picture of Chuy’s. I am dreaming of a chicken tostada from there right now.
I’m sorry, but as an Auburn Tiger, I couldn’t bite my tongue on this one…I know you guys love those cow bells over there at MSU and I’m a big fan of keeping with tradition…however, I remember a time when Auburn was reprimanded for using a tiger growl on the loud speaker and at the University of SC they have been scolded for using a rooster call (I live with a Gamecock fan and live in Columbia hence the USC insert). While I applaud the efforts of the cow bell monitor you had assisting you during the game…you may have been the only one following the letter of the law. It seems you guys are getting a giant pass on following the noise rules over there at MSU from the perspective of others in the SEC. Now, having said all that, I don’t think it would have mattered if everyone in the stands had a cow bell in each hand and had them going 100% of the game…you guys still would have beaten Auburn…we’re kinda stinky looking this year and our defensive coordinator needs to spend more time managing a better defense rather than poofing his hair.
When you see the amount in fines we have paid the past 2 years, you will know we aren’t getting a “free” anything. Most fans do try to ring responsibly but in a conference game with all the bad blood since $cam Newton–some fans just get a little too emotional with their ringing.
Im kicking myself today because we weren’t there. I thought it would be too hot. I have memories of many blazing hot msu/auburn games. But we were watching at home! Sweet victory! The fried cheese is a favorite. When we order these, we are always fussing over them. We have to divide them evenly among everybody!! I remember dividing one cheese stick 3 ways!
Gwen
Well put. Loved every single word… HAIL STATE.
I had no idea that anyone ate fried cheese south of the Wisconsin/Illinois border! Up here, we have fried cheese curds, which are bite-sized and thus have a greater batter-to-cheese ratio, resulting in more crispiness. (There’s a locally-owned chain of restaurants known for this delicacy.) If you’re ever up this way, give me a shout — I would love to take you out for some fried cheese, northern-style!
I want fried cheese.
So glad you didn’t miss that game!!! You would have been so angry at yourself; and, Girlfriend, you may need that victory experience later in the season. Just sayin…
Hail State!!!
Our beloved Mean Green won our home opener. Beautiful weather. Amazing tailgating fun. Lots of good family time. Our weekend was full of blessings.
Go State!
Football games and fried cheese. Your weekend sounded glorious!
Drooling over that fried cheese. My favorite thing at Harvey’s. Saturday was a great day to be a bulldog!
Laughing at the bell ringing rules — goodness. I’m certain my baby girl was ringing like mad. She’s gone from mildly intrigued by State football to a face-painting, bell-ringing, #hailstate tweeting, bulldog lovin’, all out fan of her beloved State.
We ate at Chuy’s yesterday after church too! Congrats on the win and Roll Tide!
Hail State! #nobodycarestilyou’rebeatingthem!
So great (and such a pleasant surprise) to meet you before the game (outside the upstairs ladies’ room). Although the game was a little painful for us, okay REALLY painful, my little boy and I actually had a nice visit in Mississippi. Thank you for ordering up the overcast skies and cooler temps. I do believe State fans are some of the nicest in the SEC. No harassment, heckling, name calling, etc. like we’ve experienced at other venues. We picked up a little souvenir in the bookstore for my son’s PE teacher because he’s noticed the teacher’s MSU stickers and T-shirts, and he called me this afternoon to personally thank me. My little boy was concerned about the “save the bell, just yell” messages on the scoreboard, so I was trying to explain the rules to him. Thank heavens we were sitting in an Auburn section or he might have tried to enforce the rules. I shared with him today about your son’s concern with the rules, and he was pleased. I am currently in mourning for this football season, as things are not looking too bright for my beloved Tigers. It will help my feelings a lot if you guys beat up on several more SEC teams this year, so you can bet I’ll be cheering for y’all. Best of luck with your conference next weekend. It sounds like a wonderful event!
I was at the game AND went to Harvey’s (be still my heart) for THE fried cheese after the game and didn’t see you?!!!!! How does that even happen?! It was such a glorious day and a glorious game. Hope this keeps the Dawgs fired up for the rest of the season! Hail State!
And you saw us!! We were so delighted to run into you and A!! And oh, we celebrated with Fried Cheese later that night as well!! YUMMY!! Love you friend! #Hail State!!
We LOVE Harvey’s!!!! My daughter requests fried cheese sticks from there as her birthday meal each year. But Boo Mama let me tell you if you ever have time coming through Columbus on your way to Starvegas, you have got to eat at Huck’s downtown. They have the BEST fried cheese you will ever eat and lots of other great stuff, too. It’s a hard call for me…Harveys? Hucks? I hope you’ll get a chance to try it this football season!!!!!!
Best AU vs MSU memory. 1981 freshman year Jordan Hare in Auburn Pat Dye’s first year…….the glorious years! I good friend of mine had a boyfriend on the MSU team. Do not know the score but we did not win. He told her when he looked in those stands and saw all those Tigers fans going wild and loving their team even while losing an SEC game he knew we were special. But everyone in the SEC is special ……well except UA. We take that oath when we get that AU diploma :)