Random Scrimmage Thoughts

[MBAGuy]

1. Stadium was beyond awesome...I had goosebumps walking from the shuttle to our gate.
2. Shuttle from the St. Paul campus was quick and easy. We were parked in a different lot than we'll be using on game days, but they seem to have the logistics figured out.
3. The rented cushions and seatbacks are well worth the money. I'm a big guy (6'5", 250lb) and they made the bleecher seats pretty comfortable
4. Michael Carter is going to be a stud. Aside from his two interceptions, he had a solo tackle on Decker and talked a little trash to him afterward. I'd like to see him put on another 20 lbs, but he's going to be a fine player.
5. Bryant Allen is very, very fast.
6. $4.00 for a soda seems a little outrageous, but that seems to be par for the course at sporting events these days.
7. Crowd seemed subdued in my section and those surrounding it. I was one of about ten people within view that stood during the rouser. Hopefully that will change on real gamedays.

 

[zman]

7. Crowd seemed subdued in my section and those surrounding it. I was one of about ten people within view that stood during the rouser. Hopefully that will change on real gamedays.

Amen. I was somewhat disappointed in the turnout but even moreso in the general lack of enthusiasm. It almost felt like the dome crowd transplanted into the new stadium, which I guess technically it may be. Hopefully more students will make a difference once classes start.

 

[GopherCrazy]

the crowd effect might come into play here... or whatever the technical term is called.
ya know, the one where people act more out of character if they're in a huge crowd.

It'll change when airforce comes to town. guaranteed.

 

[theTurning]

- hot dogs were good
- pizza sucked
- i think people were more interested in just seeing the place than watching the scrimmage. after we sat in our seats for a few minutes my dad and i just walked around, talking about the players on the signs, different seat options, etc.

 

[gopher7]

- i think people were more interested in just seeing the place than watching the scrimmage. after we sat in our seats for a few minutes my dad and i just walked around, talking about the players on the signs, different seat options, etc.

I agree with this. There was such an "awe" factor being inside it was difficult to focus on the scrimmage. I just wanted to look around and take all of the details in! I'm glad I went today so once Air Force comes to town I can be completely focused on the game.

The thing I found odd was the cash registers. They were ringing people's orders up on rinky dink calculators that seemed difficult to work with, while the cash registers were just sitting on the counters with nothing on top of them. Is that how it's always going to be or are they still waiting for more equipment to arrive?

 

[g1976b]

1. Totally agree on the goosebumps. I was surprised. I can't imagine how it's going to be with a full house and a flyover on 9/12.

2. The stadium is phenomenal. SO MUCH attention to detail.

3. Still some A/V issues to work out. I think most of the 'anthem' issues were related to the vocalist, but it was awkward.

4. I think it may be a good idea to put some sort of small section identification signs near the top of sections. Once your 'in' the stadium itself, it's tough to know where other sections are.

5. Not worried too much about the crowd. It's a SCRIMMAGE people. I was up for the rouser and touchdowns, but not much else. I'm not sure what I think about the people around me though...seems like they're a little bit of the old 'dome' crowd.

6. Very nice touch with Maturi making it a point to shake everyone's hand and thank them on the tour. Not a huge deal, but it was nice.

 

[MHDGopherfan]

Agreed on almost everyone's points. We also thought the crowd wasn't really into the football aspect of it, but I think it was because the day was really more about the stadium itself..which as mentioned above is beyond awesome...it's really unbelievable how good it is. I know we didn't actually watch much of the football...we were scoping out best bathroom to use from our seats, best way in and out...etc, and just generally walking around the stadium checking everything out. We walked around to a bunch of different sections and looked at the view...figured that'd be one of the few times we'd be able to do that once you get a full house in there. I don't think there was a bad seat in the place...

 

[DarrenTheGreek]

1. Goosebumps here as well.
2. Plaza is awesome. Love it. Great place to mingle and take in the atmosphere of college football.
3. Boooo to the usher in sec 206 who was checking ticket stubs and wouldn't let people walk up the stairs to check out the sites. Seriously dude...it's a half-filled scrimmage. Let people be curious.
4. I think the lack of noise and enthusiasm was due to the newness. People were mingling and checking out the stadium. I suspect it will be different on 9/12.
5. Shuttle from StPaul was fine. Shuttle back had some delays but nothing too outrageous. Good that they had a dry run to figure everything out.

 

[ButchNashGuy]

1. Goosebumps - I literally felt like my breath was taken away walking up to the stadium. Everything is beautiful
2.) Love the big gates on the West end with the big M's
3.) Feels like it is home and that is has always been there but, seemed almost surreal watching the Gophers outside
4.) Son loved the hot dog
5.) Tried to focus on football but was really looking at the stadium - 15k, disappointed in the turnout. The difference this year is that the stadium is SOLD OUT. Sold out games are fun in about any venue.
6.) Dline looked very strong. Kind of concerned about Oline run blocking. Not worried about Weber picks. TS - KR stud!