Syracuse at Maryland tailgate and game report (really long)

[JeremyCuse]

Great write up, unfortunately it sounds like someone was impersonating me as I wasn't there, lol. Still great pics and I would have loved to have made the trip if not for my fiance's surgery.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Great write up, unfortunately it sounds like someone was impersonating me as I wasn't there, lol. Still great pics and I would have loved to have made the trip if not for my fiance's surgery.

Doh! My bad, meant LemoyneCuse.

 

[Crusty]

Great write up, unfortunately it sounds like someone was impersonating me as I wasn't there, lol. Still great pics and I would have loved to have made the trip if not for my fiance's surgery.

Hope Nell is doing well. You were both greatly missed

 

[Crusty]

One more picture that my sister wanted to include of the Grotto family -
View attachment 5574

From left - me, PapainGrotto, MamainGrotto, Bro-in-lawinGrotto, and SisterinGrotto.

Thanks to the entire OttoinGrotto family for everything. OttoinGrotto Mom, the brownies were the best!

 

[SUFaninNJ]

By comparison, this mascot makes Otto seem intimidating. Fear the Turtle? Meh.

 

[TexanMark]

By comparison, this mascot makes Otto seem intimidating. Fear the Turtle? Meh. View attachment 5592

Rob I think Miss Turtle kinda likes you.

 

[JSOrange97]

Well done, TexanMark and OttoInGrotto, for planning a great day!

Special shout out to cuseguy and subarney for having a backup grill. Somehow my propane regulator failed to make the trip and their grill was put into service for the spiedies. Thanks also to Rundeal for use of your grill and letting me borrow your regulator. You guys saved the spiedies!! (I see a new portable grill in my future for next year...)

Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't publicly thank my wife, Mrs. JSOrange97... She is the glue that keeps our crazy clan together!

BTW - our kids had a blast! They loved shouting "Let's Go Orange!", and even came up with their own version. Instead of "Let's Go Orange" <clap> <clap> <clap clap clap>, they would yell, "Let's Go Orange!!! DA, DA, DA DA DA!" Silly, but cute. They lasted the ENTIRE game and we were the last to leave the entire upper deck. My four year old was as vocal as her Daddy, especially on 3rd down.

It is sad that we won't be able to do this trip again for a while for football (2019?). Our family ended up making a long weekend of it, as we stayed in Baltimore Inner Harbor and spent Thursday night and Friday exploring there. It really is a great place with plenty to do (MD Science Center, National Aquarium, Historic Ships, etc.)




Also, I think that UMD did a great job honoring our Veterans on Saturday night. I was impressed with how much outreach they do to assist those who have served. Thanks to all of you on this board that have served our country as well.

 

[kcsu]

thanks for the great report. Keep em coming loved the pictures

 

[4evaOrange]

I haven't seen any post on the Maryland fans, how we're they?? Nice bunch or douchey? Did anyone talk to them???

 

[SUFaninNJ]

I haven't seen any post on the Maryland fans, how we're they?? Nice bunch or douchey? Did anyone talk to them???

I ended up grabbing a couple of seats in the lower part of 305 rather than my assigned seats about 20 rows higher. Behind us sat 2 MD season ticket holders. They were very nice and cordial and shared their thoughts on the best ACC places to tailgate (Clemson, by far). One of them had even worked in Rome at the military base for awhile. He said he never got to go inside the Dome, but enjoyed "some Irish bar in a neighborhood where the traffic light was upside down"! It was funny listening to them talk about the weak fan turnout, their frustration with the team, and if it was worth it reupping their season tix for next year. I hear those exact same conversations from Syracuse fans.

Like others have mentioned, it's too bad SU won't be playing in College Park for football anytime soon. It was a great trip in every way.

BTW, for those of you at the tailgate, I bought a few little bottles of cinnamon whiskey that the liquor owner recommended. I never tried them, but was curious if anyone did and what they may have thought.

 

[4evaOrange]

I ended up grabbing a couple of seats in the lower part of 305 rather than my assigned seats about 20 rows higher. Behind us sat 2 MD season ticket holders. They were very nice and cordial and shared their thoughts on the best ACC places to tailgate (Clemson, by far). One of them had even worked in Rome at the military base for awhile. He said he never got to go inside the Dome, but enjoyed "some Irish bar in a neighborhood where the traffic light was upside down"! It was funny listening to them talk about the weak fan turnout, their frustration with the team, and if it was worth it reupping their season tix for next year. I hear those exact same conversations from Syracuse fans.

Like others have mentioned, it's too bad SU won't be playing in College Park for football anytime soon. It was a great trip in every way.

BTW, for those of you at the tailgate, I bought a few little bottles of cinnamon whiskey that the liquor owner recommended. I never tried them, but was curious if anyone did and what they may have thought.

Sounds like you got a nice couple.

 

[Frozen]

You know who you are!

View attachment 5577

That's me in my official Syracusefan.com wool hat.

 

[sutomcat]

I haven't seen any post on the Maryland fans, how we're they?? Nice bunch or douchey? Did anyone talk to them???

I tried to. They averted their eyes and tried to avoid conversation for the most part.

No one was insulting or willing to talk trash, although a couple of them feigned outrage when I told them their basketball arena was 'a cute little baby arena'. "This place is huge! Do you realize it holds 17,950?". "Yeah, that sounds about right. That's about half the capacity of the Carrier Dome for basketball. It is a nice baby arena.".

When I attempted to talk to the people near me at Byrd, they said "listen we are just trying to get through the end of the season. This has been awful and it isn't going to end soon enough." No interest in talking smack. I felt...sorry for them.

A couple of people we ran into were from upstate NY. They remembered their trips to the Dome fondly. Their memories of the cold and snow were not positive ones.

The students were too drunk to talk and frankly, had a hard time even walking.

I would characterize them as mellow, beaten down, totally broken fans. They have lost their will to support/cheer their team. Saw a lot of that in the Dark Ages of Gerg Football.

 

[Bayside44]

 

[OrangeMon]

I haven't seen any post on the Maryland fans, how we're they?? Nice bunch or douchey? Did anyone talk to them???

Walking up to the game, we were surrounded by about 7 - 8 MD students. They talked a little smack (very drunk), but for the most part were okay. It was cool when we hit the stadium entrance and the LGO chant started. The students seemed a little surprised by that, even in their drunken state.

I also wanted to mention that it was nice to meet a few new faces during the tailgate. Eventually I'll get to know everyone over time.

 

[bnoro]

I know I mentioned it to a few people at the tailgate, but if anyone wants discounted tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular drop me a DM and I can send you a link.

 

[JoeSU]

I would characterize them as mellow, beaten down, totally broken fans. They have lost their will to support/cheer their team. Saw a lot of that in the Dark Ages of Gerg Football.

That was exactly my impression. Walking back to 4B after the game (thankfully downhill for the most part) we encountered a group of drunken students who initially offered "Nice Game". I responded simply "thanks, to which one of them quipped "Don't come back anytime soon." I left it at that.

 

[CuseTroop]

I ended up grabbing a couple of seats in the lower part of 305 rather than my assigned seats about 20 rows higher. Behind us sat 2 MD season ticket holders. They were very nice and cordial and shared their thoughts on the best ACC places to tailgate (Clemson, by far). One of them had even worked in Rome at the military base for awhile. He said he never got to go inside the Dome, but enjoyed "some Irish bar in a neighborhood where the traffic light was upside down"! It was funny listening to them talk about the weak fan turnout, their frustration with the team, and if it was worth it reupping their season tix for next year. I hear those exact same conversations from Syracuse fans.

Like others have mentioned, it's too bad SU won't be playing in College Park for football anytime soon. It was a great trip in every way.

BTW, for those of you at the tailgate, I bought a few little bottles of cinnamon whiskey that the liquor owner recommended. I never tried them, but was curious if anyone did and what they may have thought.

Fireball?

 

[bnoro]

Fireball?

Oh there was plenty of fireball at the tailgate, me and nails brought a 1.75...

 

[CuseTroop]

Oh there was plenty of fireball at the tailgate, me and nails brought a 1.75...

that stuff keeps us living up here in Alaska. I swear, when it first came out we kept the company in business. It's not healthy how much of that shiit we drink.