OhthankyouJesus!

OhthankyouJesus! Another tailgate is almost upon us!! (I have to say, I’ve been oddly…at a loss as to what to do with myself these past two weekends…) And, more than that, the Hokies are on a 3-game win streak! We’ve beaten those crazy purple pirates (arrrrgh!) from ECU at home…and won two straight from previously unbeaten ACC foes on the road (BC and NC State). Even notching the greatest comeback under Beamer last week against State. Dare I say these Hokies have given me back a little bit of the excitement that I had going into this season?? (Not all of it, that would be crazy and, wacky as I might be, I refuse to set myself up for that kind of heartbreak again when my poor little heart is just now starting to heal from the pain of Week 1.)

Our offense is coming to life (which, after being nearly mistaken for dead in the not-so-distant past, is quite impressive).

Darren Evans has demonstrated he’s fully recovered from his knee injury.

Tyrod still might not be the best quarterback in the nation, but when he needs to put the team on his back and make plays, there’s nobody I want doing it more; when he lets himself go and just plays, it can be magical.

Heck, Stinespring even engineered a decent game – his OL/TE formation which freed up Andre Smith for a TD was actually, I have to say it, quite brilliant.

I can’t help it, guys! Hope is starting to bubble back to the surface. As much as I try to squash it and ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist (la la la la la la la, I can’t hear you!)…I love my Hokies and will always hope that they can pull it off…that they can rebound from the adversity and put it together.

And, well, they always seem to improve as the season goes on…so, maybe there is hope, after all? (I guess the lesson is to just stop scheduling these HARD games as season openers, huh?) We’ve got four – count ‘em, 4! – home games over the next five weeks, all against teams that we can beat. (Although, none are gimmes; JMU taught us that stomach-churning lesson.) This is a chance for us to really put it all together and get a nice swell of momentum behind us as we roll into November and tough away games at Miami and UNC. Hopefully, it’s just what the doctor ordered.

But, enough football talk…because, well, even though this IS a football blog, I know ya’ll really want to hear about the tailgate and the Good Times. Can’t say as I blame ya much there. ;-)

However, we are facing every tailgater’s worst nightmare this weekend: The Nooner. (dundun duuuunnnn) 1:30 games are hard enough (especially after you have spent the previous night being forced, FORCED I say, to have beer after beer with Rachael under the guise of “pre-game warm-ups”), but at least you can get a solid 3 hours of tailgating in beforehand. 12:00 games are just hideous and should really be reserved for…hell, I can’t think of any good reason for ANYone to be forced to kickoff that freaking early (I mean, most football watchers haven’t even finished the morning paper and the Saturday morning Target run by then…what is the freaking deal???). Except maybe for UVA. The Fighting Chris Longs should face nooners as punishment for failing to put forth a decent football team in years…at least until they demonstrate that they actually have a football team again. But, I digress…

So, given how early we need to arrive, we’re talking about a good ‘ol southern breakfast tailgate – eggs, hash browns, biscuits, bloody mary’s, bourbon, and beer. ;-) Oh, and Red Bull, LOTS and lots of Red Bull. You know, the basics.

I have no clue who is coming to this game (other than the fine folks that will be riding along with me, that is). I’m sure it’ll be a lighter crowd than we’ve had thus far, but that’s ok. Mr. FP is planning on going (although, if history is any indicator, you would be wise to “believe it when you see it”). Mr. Rachael is also planning to give this whole tailgating/football thing another shot. And, hey, that right there is reason enough for me to get excited – I am *thisclose* to converting yet ANOTHER person to the Hokie Nation.

Another tailgate is almost upon us…the weather is supposed to be gorgeous…the Hokies are winning again…in essence, all is right with the world! Let’s go, Hokies! Beat Central Michigan!! (And then we can get down to planning the sweetest thing in the world…the 3:30 kickoff tailgate next week for Wake Forest. The perfect mix of pre-game tailgate time and gametime under the lights...and you still get home in time for dinner and a full recap on GameDay Final. Ahhhh, bliss!)

Hokies - 33
Chippewas - 17

-FP

Will the Real VT Please Stand Up, Please Stand Up?!?

OK, peeps. That was a nice coma…But, now that I’m back, what does one say at this point in the season, when we’ve witnessed just about every possible way this VT team can play – good, bad, average, spectacularly bad?? Well, let me tell ya, “We may not win them all…But We've Never Lost a Party.” Take THAT, JMU!

Bleh.

Why did I even bring that up?

OK. Shaking that off. And getting back to the task at hand…

We were on the road last weekend at BC. Did a fabulous job on defense, blanking the (B)Eagles. I can’t be the only Hokie who was truly impressed by how quickly and thoroughly Bud has whipped these young guys into shape. Yeah, they’ll still make some mistakes, but they are looking like yet another Foster (“Australian for Defense”)-quality group of guys. Some minor tweaks to the scheme and his boys are off and rolling.

Sadly, the same cannot seem to be said for our offense…despite loads of hype to the contrary. Who else heard (and believed) all the pre-season chatter about how unstoppable this group would be? I seriously had visions of 30+ a game…Believe me, I just can’t accept how I was fooled AGAIN! This is certainly a topic that has been hashed out in MANY other forums, so I don’t want to belabor the point too much, but it is just a darn shame when we have so much talent and experience on that side of the ball and have to settle for 4 field goals at BC. Come on, O! Come on, Tyrod! I know you guys can defy that albatross of an OC and get this thing going.

Anyways…so this weekend we’re on the road again at NC State. State is 4-0 going into this game, ranked #23, and sporting a pretty impressive QB. The injuries they’ve had in the past are not a factor and this should shape up to be a very exciting game (as long as the GOOD Tech shows up, which, as we know, is something of a toss-up)…

I will be living room tailgating for this one…and looking forward to getting back in the saddle again next weekend for the nooner against Central Michigan (the Chippewas??). After that game, I THINK, we will have played, in recent memory, every possible directional school from the state of Michigan. Should be a good time, as nooners usually are, but we’ll check back in next week with a bit more of a preview for that one.

Wow. This was such a completely unfunny post. Sorry for that. It’s a weird time to be a VT football fan…but it’s always good to be a Hokie.

LET’S GO!

VT 24, NCSU 20

-FP

Waaaaah. That is all.

(Note: Apologies in advance for a downer of a post; just, well, just...sorry.)

Well, the Boise game did NOT go how I’d hoped. Yet another big game slipped through our fingers. I cannot imagine a crowd that has worked harder to will their team on to victory. I am not exaggerating when I say I am just now coming out of the funk. Nor am I exaggerating when I say I gave serious consideration (ME!) to not going to the game this weekend. The bloom is so far off this rose for me right now, I can hardly fathom the idea of getting excited for a tailgate again. But, I’m going to quote two of my favorites – Scarlett O’Hara and Annie – it’s all about tomorrow. It is, after all, “another day” and “only a day away.”

In a rare spot of good news – Steve has managed to secure us parking passes again this year, so it doesn’t look like the tailgate crew will be split up as I originally feared. But, they cost more and there’s no discount for the season like they’ve had in years past. Grrr.

I can barely muster enough energy for this blog and, for that, I’m truly sorry. Oh well. life goes on, somebody else has it worse, at least we’re still ranked #13, blah, blah, blah. Go hokies. Or something. Just don’t friggin’ lose to JMU or I might slip into a coma. On purpose.

Blah.

I'm #@$^%#$ Pumped!!!

Sooooo, it’s about that time again and all I can say is THANK GOD. I have been mentally packing my truck with Gameday gear for weeks now. We are mere days away from the beautimous thing that is College Football Season (I guess less if you’re a Gamecock fan). I, for one, cannot wait. It has been a LONG offseason. But, thankfully, it’s given me the time I needed…to accumulate more and MORE fantastic tailgating gear! As I talked about back in April, we are moving on up (to the East Side!) and are now the proud owners of the thing that sets real tailgaters apart from pretenders: The Tent. We are now prepared for (just about) whatever Mother Nature throws at us. Take that! Moreover, I upgraded vehicles in the offseason…and can I just say, I love my truck. (Author’s note: If this is the first and last time you hear this, consider yourself lucky.) Third row seating (to squeeze in those extra tailgaters) and lots of trunk space otherwise, to make sure all the coolers and gear get there! We’ve got a bunch of other goodies, but we’ll just have to unveil them one at a time – I can’t ruin ALL my surprises! But, suffice it to say, that Rachael and I have been busy little Hokie bees this offseason!

But, this brings us to now…as in…5 days from kickoff! If you aren’t pumped for this game, you (or a friend) should check your pulse, because you might be dead. Seriously. So many unanswered questions. So many things we’re SURE of (but which could be wildly untrue anyways.) Is Boise for real…or does their cream puff conference create a false impression of how good they are? Is this the best Offense we’ve ever fielded? (and the corollary, can we actually get all those amazing pieces to work together?) Will Bud just reload on Defense, as per normal? Is this, dare I say it, The Year? Maybe, most importantly, what is up with the black uniforms??? All of these questions (and more!) will be answered soon enough.

We’re doing the Buffett concert/Hokie kickoff weekend spectacular again! This time, we’re gonna get it RIGHT. Hurricane Earl had better twist and turn in another direction, because nobody named Earl is raining on my parade. (Hokie tent or not!) We’re gonna waste away in Margaritaville on Saturday, recover on Sunday, and then go absolutely effing bananas on Monday. Just like, by the way, the entire freaking VT team is going to do. (Smack talking commences in 3…2…1…) Boise, meet Tyrod Taylor. He will shred you guys. No way can you effectively gameplan all the ways he will do this. Also, allow me to introduce you to the 3-Headed Monster of Ryan Williams, Darren Evans, and phenom David Wilson. Prepare to have tracks up your back as they run over you. Kellen Moore, you throw up some serious Nintendo numbers, but you’d better watch out for our Defense – talent, skill, speed, and, more than anything, sheer WANT TO. If our Offense lets you on the field, you’d better act fast.

So, load up the cooler, make that run to the liquor store, bring out the lucky Gameday Shirt…Do whatever you have to do…

Because my gut tells me this year will be special.

YouTube practically confirms it.

All I will say for sure is, “I believe.”



-FP

What do you mean it's still Baseball season?

Where are you, Football Season? I have been having an excellent summer – going on great vacations and doing everything I can to get my mind off of you…But my mind keeps turning back to Labor Day weekend…Boise State…FedEx Field…and then on to the rest of the season and tailgating in our fabulous spot at the German Club…spending great times with terrific people…showing off some excellent tailgate upgrades…and cheering on my favorite boys in orange and maroon in that little slice of Heaven known as Lane Stadium…

I can hear the crack of a can opening…the soft fizz of my bourbon mixing with coke…

I can smell the burgers sizzling…and taste the apple pie (giggle)…

I can see the Wave…as much as I hate it…circling Lane Stadium…

I can feel the warm September sun on my face…and the chill of the ice in the stocked cooler…

But...it’s too early for Tailgate Fever to set in.

Isn't it?

Beach Bound (Hallelujah!)

Hello Kiddies –
Granted it’s not quite football season yet, so of course you’re wondering, why are we hearing from the FP? Well, it’s quite simple. The Gurus have put together one freaking fantastic good times event – and it begins this Friday! So. I had to get on here and give you the lowdown! Want specifics? Ooooh, goody! Let me tell you!! We have rented a house in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and we’re spending a week at the beach. Oooooh yeah! Believe me when I tell you that we’re completely out of our heads with excitement right now – we have total Vacation Brain going on. Work is suffering. We can think of nothing else but sitting in the sand, having some cold ones, and celebrating Good Times. PLEASE let it be Friday soon!! ;-)

Right now, Rachael and Scott get to be the lucky first ones there, since April and Mr. FP have to work on Friday…but, we’re still going to get out of town as soon as we can and head down. I mean, we even bought a new vehicle with this trip in mind! (just kidding, we actually got it for tailgating purposes. LOL. Yes. We are DEDICATED!) But, believe me, we’ll make up for being late to the party soon enough! And, while we're there, we get to celebrate April's birthday, too! Throw those party hats in the bag!

In the meantime, y’all behave while we’re gone. If you’re good – you might get to hear about some of our exploits when we get back! On the immediate horizon, we’ve got tents, towels, coolers and koozies. Sunscreen and siestas. Brew Thrus and beach bars. Water in the ocean, pool and hot tub. Ahhh, bring on the beach!

-FP

PS. One extra shout-out to Rachael and Scott - Happy Anniversary, guys!

Growing Older but Not Up

So, another year has passed…and this little Guru is hitting number 32! Personally, I think this is an excellent sign for the coming football season. I mean, hello! Darren Evans is #32, my last name is Evans and I’m 32 this year…coincidence??? I think not! You’ll see, soon enough! Boo-yah!

But, beyond football season predictions…another birthday also means another opportunity to get my party on! SO, accordingly, I am headed down to Jacksonville, Florida this weekend, to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends (who’s birthday also happens to fall in a few days). Together we will unite our Party Prowess and have some serious fun. Sand, sun, and beach bars. I am EXCITED! I hope Jax is aware of and prepared for the coming invasion!! ;-)

If no one’s heard from me by next Tuesday...please send out a search party!!

*mwah!*
--FP