Enough has been written about this game, but it’s everything about being a Northwestern fan all wrapped into one.

I DISTINCTLY remember that NO ONE in the student section gave up hope, even after Damien Anderson dropped the 4th down, sure thing, go-ahead TD pass in the lights. NO ONE.

Instead, irrationally, almost foolishly, we cheered LOUDER. I will forever believe that the crowd WILLED Anthony Thomas to fumble that ball (his first and only fumble that season), that we WILLED the football gods to give us a break, and that the football gods rewarded our faith in Northwestern by making the greatest offensive football game ever played end the way it should — with Northwestern snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and the students descending upon the field.

Honorable mention? Outback Bowl is a good one; ditto Alamo Bowl against Mizzou in 2009. I’d also mention the 2004 defeat of Ohio State, which was simply shocking (and another great “storm the field” moment) — seeing all the silenced Buckeye fans leave Ryan Field was a pretty cool experience.

Tough question. Being in the first row of the student section in 2004 against Ohio State would probably be at the top of my list, but the atmosphere in the NU section at the Alamo Bowl (who knew Northwestern fans could get that into a game!?) and the utter craziness of the Outback Bowl NU section will never be forgotten.

I just wish I had seen an Auburn fan with a Star of David tattoo on his neck. It would have made the flight back to Chicago that evening far more tolerable.

By the way, I’ve been to two bowl games (Alamo ‘08 and Outback) and both times I had my pregame meal at a Denny’s. I got to the Alamodome plenty early and the Denny’s was the only place I could find within walking distance for an early dinner. And in January there was a Denny’s across the street from my hotel and seemed to be the only place open that early on New Year’s Day.

My two goals for a bowl this year are 1) a win and 2) no Denny’s.

1) October 7, 1995 – Northwestern 19, Michigan 13 (at the Big House) – It seemed like there were 25 of us at the game, surrounded by 100,000 Michigan fans, which made the victory so much sweeter. It also made us realize that the Notre Dame victory wasn’t a fluke, and we were actually good. Also fun note: we lied our way into Michigan’s Sigma Chi because one of my friends knew the handshake, but were ferried out in a rather aggressive manner after the caught on that we weren’t brothers. One really drunk guy tried to get in after us and the entire fraternity house beat the crap out of him. It seemed very non-NU to us.

2) October 19, 1996 – Northwestern 34, Wisconsin 30 (at Camp Randall) – This one was sweet for multiple reasons. There were about 50 of us at this game in the corner of the stadium. One loud obnoxious fan screamed Ron Dayne’s name throughout the entire game without a break. And it wasn’t just screaming his name, it was RRROOOONNNNN DAAAAYYYNNNNNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enunciating every portion of the two syllable name. Ugh. At the end, we were down 27-30 and all they had to do was run the clock out. Dayne fumbled and we scored a touchdown to win it at the very end. After that, we couldn’t stop saying Dayne’s name either. Sweet justice.

3) October 5, 1996 – Northwestern 17, Michigan 16 (at NU) – Last minute field goal to win it …. and it’s through the uprights, only to have the kick called back because of a whistle that no one heard. Unbelievable, until he hit it again. Clutch kicking. Note: I’ve been to games in Happy Valley and in Gainesville, in the Big House, etc., but I cannot remember a louder crowd than when he hit the second field goal. Although I was sitting in the student section, which probably made a difference.

4) January 1, 1996 – Northwestern 32, USC 41 (ROSE BOWL) – Great moment was when we recovered an onside kick (which was one of Barnett’s favorite tricks). Bad moment watching Keyshawn Johnson play our secondary for fools. I was not particularly impressed by USC’s coach at the time, I want to say John Robinson, who lashed out at the media in his victory speech in front of the whole crowd, complaining that Northwestern got more favorable coverage during the week. Jerk-off.

5) And of course, January 1, 2010, Northwestern 35, Auburn 38 (Outback Bowl) – Most ridiculous game I’ve ever seen. I’d post it higher for ridiculousness alone, no other game comes close for that, but the pain for the loss was tough to bear (tougher than the USC loss, because we were just happy to be there), particularly on the flight home the next day.

I remember I bugged a kid in my class to take me to the game (I was 8, but then again I’d do the same thing now so whatever). I had the flu and was miserable the whole game. If memory serves me correct, the cats won on a close to last second field goal to clinch another Big 10 title (well, share) and we stormed the field for the first time in my sports supporting career. I’ll still remember Autry coming past me and I got to pat him on the back. I was on top of the world at that point and I even forgot I was sick.
The day was capped off by seeing one of the best movies ever made-Space Jam.

Special mention to 1995 Iowa, the only time Gameday was at Northwestern. It was real crappy out and I was there with my grandma. Good times.