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With the Stuff Somers Says namesake in Chicago for Penn State-Northwestern later this week, it’s a good time to consider — and stress — the importance of road trips in college football.
Not for teams, but for fans.
If you have an opportunity to travel to an away game, near or far, you should. You might know college football from a Penn State perspective, the ins and outs of Beaver Stadium, the blue-and-white traditions and the history that goes far beyond linebackers. You might even know the best places to eat or traffic patterns in and around Happy Valley.
Still, all that will only ever be part of the story.
College football has tradition-rich programs across the country — each with its own character, thanks to a mix of beautiful campuses, (usually) friendly fans, historic stadiums and so much more.
Some fans travel regularly, hitting all, or at least several, Penn State games each season. Our approach through the years produced more-isn’t-better, better-is-better road trips — memory-making events with stories that go far beyond what happened on the field.
Thanks to family and friends trips as well as work-related opportunities, college football has taken me across the country with visits to Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Houston, Miami, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, Southern Miss, Syracuse, Temple, Texas, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Plus there have been bowl games in California and Tennessee.
Still, a handful of trips — specifically those with family and friends — stand out.
Penn State at Auburn, 2022
Six people, one RV and a round trip to Auburn, Alabama. Perfection. … Taking turns driving. … The friendly free for all of the RV fields not far from Auburn Stadium. … Toomer’s Corner lemonade. … Our tailgate-lot neighbors, Penn State fans in the high-end RV from Williamsport who embraced us in our Class C motorhome. … The Auburn fan with the teardrop camper that pulled behind his pickup who conducted a bachelor’s party Friday night. (“Hey folks, there are going to be some girls here tonight and some different girls here tomorrow. If the ones tomorrow could not know about the ones tonight, that would be great.”). He seemed like a jerk, but a few hours later, when some nearby Penn State fans in an RV were wondering aloud how to help a family member who was headed to the hospital, the guy unhooked the camper and tossed them his truck keys. (“Do what you need to and bring it back when you’re done.”) Amazing, refreshing and validating. Not a jerk at all. … … Peppermint patty shots. … Super-friendly fans, who thanked us for coming as we moved down into their seats because they were leaving early as Penn State dominated. … And, best of all, the musical rumble strips. … Again, perfection. … Penn State won the game, 41-12.
Penn State at Alabama, 2010
It was so hot. Alabama hot in September, a heat that did not relent during the game, which the Crimson Tide dominated. As it did so, the fans were impressive, offering a full-stadium response every time the team got a first down. PA Announcer: “First down.” Fans: “Roll Tide!” … The best moments were before the game, when we were introduced to Southern tailgating and fans staking out spots on campus and a nascent tent company (the same group that later expanded across the country, even to Penn State and all those tents on Little Jeffrey Field) that provided cover for those tailgaters. … There was dinner Friday at a barbeque joint with a group that included legendary Penn State running back Mike Guman. (Pretty cool!) … And pregaming included trip to a bar with a red door (the only directions we were provided) to find it packed elbow to elbow with Alabama students and young alumni who welcomed us as if we were long-lost family members. We drank Yellowhammers and clarified that our welcome was specifically for us. Me: “Wait, wait .. are you this nice to Auburn and LSU?” Jimmy: “Hell no, but y’all are Penn State.” … Alabama won the game, 24-3.
Penn State at Notre Dame, 2006
Our first RV trip, an ambitious half-dozen blue-and-white fans. … Appetizers bought by some rival fans in the restaurant we found in a strip mall where we could easily park. … A noisy night (a lot of people snored) in the KOA campground. … A great gameday when we were introduced to cornhole for the first time. … Touchdown Jesus in person. … Notre Dame Stadium, a wonderful historic venue, before its videoboard was installed, where fans focused on the action from start to finish. … A postgame meal in a wonderful Italian restaurant within (long) walking distance of the stadium. … A return trip almost all the way home because the driver wanted to avoid another night of snoring. … Notre Dame won the game, 41-17.
Penn State at Michigan, 2009
No RV, just a minivan, and a Friday afternoon trip to Fraser’s Pub & Sports Bar the day before the game. The only other group in the restaurant early that afternoon included award-winning Miami quarterback turned broadcaster Geno Torretta. When my friend Russ approached that group’s table, Torretta flashed his knowledge of Penn State. “You guys always had a slow, undersized defensive back when we played you. It was Derek Bochna my senior year.” … Parking on the golf course just across the street from the Big House. … “Beer jarts,” it sounds more exciting than it was, but it was still cool, while tailgating. … Pioneer High School as a parking lot. … Michigan Stadium as a no-ad zone, only big M’s and maize and blue colors. … Penn State won, 35-10.
Honorable Mention
Chicago. Not just one trip, three — two when we got into the stadium for games at Northwestern and one when a too-good-to-be-true airfare and user error led to no game but a memorable weekend in the Windy City. The games at Northwestern in quaint Ryan Field felt cozy, much different from Beaver Stadium. It was fun, and the trip included deep-dish pizza.
The third trip was an ill-fated effort to visit Illinois for a Friday night game. It turns out the plane I thought departed State College at 6:30 a.m. Friday actually left at 6:30 p.m. So, we were landing at O’Hare as the Nittany Lions were putting the finishing touches on a victory in Champaign, a couple hours away. Still, that left all of Saturday open for an architectural river boat tour, the Navy Pier, Wrigley Field, hot dogs, deep-dish pizza and time with family.
See? Even when things go wrong on the road it can lead to perfection.
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