Published: November 04, 2009 11:30 am      

Running, football deliver plenty of comebacks

I have been an Iowa Hawkeye fan since birth. I swear my booties must have been crocheted with black and gold yarn. My loyalty was passed down from my dad who has been a lifetime believer in the players’ talents who donned those magnificent colors.

My dad certainly won the coin toss when it came down to having a daughter who loved sports. However, I don’t quite share his same passion and intensity when it comes to golf. Sorry, dad. I would prefer to watch running events.

For example, I tuned in Sunday afternoon to watch the 40th running of the ING New York City marathon. There were almost 42,000 runners. Can you believe it? Gosh, and I thought the Quad-City Times Bix 7 was a big event. The winners, Meb Keflezighi of the United States and Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia, inspired me to lace up my running shoes afterward and hit the pavement. Keflezighi definitely made the United States stand out as the comeback kid Sunday. An American hasn’t been the first to cross the finish line since 1982.

Like Keflezighi, the Iowa Hawkeyes also are comeback kids. They have narrowly escaped defeat by the skin of their teeth in recent games, particularly against Michigan State. The Hawks, led by Kirk Ferentz, have come from behind in eight of its nine victories this year.

I was definitely on the edge of my recliner when Iowa played Michigan State. Like most Saturday nights, that is where I usually find myself camped out with Cordy laying at my feet. She also is an Iowa fan whether she knows it or not.

I couldn’t believe Iowa graced the scoreboard with a touchdown with just 2 seconds left on the clock. After that touchdown, TV cameras immediately spanned the crowd and each one looked as if they had just lost their best friend. I was feeling great! I was screaming and bouncing up and down in my recliner uncontrollably. I couldn’t believe it. So, I called my dad to see if he was still awake and saw the conclusion of the game. Needless to say, he was stunned and happy too.

So, on Saturday afternoon I once again hunkered down in my recliner; however, this time with a Cherry Coke and pickled herring to ride out the matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers. Unfortunately, my confidence wavered a bit during the third quarter so I started doing a little housework. And then the fourth quarter appeared like the dawning of a new day for the Hawks, its fans at Kinnick Stadium and for me at home. I dropped my dust rag and screamed when Marvin McNutt ran for a 92-yard touchdown. The cardiac kids yet again breathed new life into their fans and the game. As the final score of 42-24 graced my TV screen, my dad called up to say, “So, did you watch the game?” I said, “Are you kidding?”

I can proudly say that I was part of Iowa’s winningest season. My dad and I traveled to Hawkeye country Oct. 3 to see the Hawks take on Arkansas State. The stadium’s atmosphere is truly intoxicating, not in the way that you may be thinking, but in the sense that everybody around you in the stands is your long-lost friend cheering for the home team. I have never given so many hi-fives in my life. I even saw a guy dressed up like Davy Crockett with a coon skin cap in Iowa colors nonetheless. Heh, you can’t blame a guy for livin’ the dream can you?

There were many youngsters at the game with their parents and I particularly enjoyed one little boy sitting in front of me, who was about 5, enjoying the experience with his dad. He cheered on his favorite players standing on his dad’s lap. What a great memory he will have for the rest of his life.

When it comes to football cuisine, tailgaters have it made. Hawkeye fans were tending their grills like the Iron Chef flipping hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwursts and heaven knows what else that can be grilled. Can you grill a Twinkie? Just asking. The aroma of homemade chili also filled the air, which took my breath away. My dad and I have never experienced tailgating. I don’t think candy bars, string cheese, beef sticks, chocolate chip cookies and pretzels qualify especially if you’re eating them in the truck. Tailgating comes in all shapes and sizes from those celebrating around the trunk of their car to those with $100,000 motor homes. No matter what the size of the party, you can be sure they are all having fun.

I can hardly wait to watch Iowa’s next game against Northwestern. I’m sure it will be another wild and crazy ride. Go Hawks!



Angie Bicker is the Lifestyles Editor for the Clinton Herald. She can be reached at angiebicker@clintonherald.com.