About 100 club members bought tickets to the game, and many traveled from outside the Champaign area to get there. I drove from Bloomington and at 7:30 AM, arrived at the parking lot to set up the tailgate party:

There was a table with nametags, stickers, and hawkeye buttons.

As folks arrived, they filled out forms for a trip to Iowa City.

There was just enough wind to keep our RivalsFlag "Beat Illinois" message visible.

Club members played some tailgating games in the unusually warm November temperatures.

Parking lot tackles are tougher than on grass.

Brett Ellis of the Lincolnland I-Club helped put the day together, and brought his whole family.

Brett enjoys a snack with his wife Mandy.

Brett's mom Denise enjoying the sunny day.

The girls pose for a shot together.

Mandy gets an early start on competition bean bags.

Mike and Emily graciously played grillmasters, and made sure there were plenty of hamburgers, and hotdogs for everyone.

There was quite a line for food once they heard Mike was cooking.

My wife Becky arrives clad in Black and Gold.

Taking a break from partying for a photo-op.

Everyone took advantage of the late kickoff and 70-degree weather to get to know some of the other club members.

Jon Rich showed up from the Quad Cities, after hearing about the event online.

Jon here next to Brett's dad Gary, Brett with Jon's dad, and me in the middle.

Nancy and Mary enjoying their lunch, and the afternoon.

Alan Loken and his son made the trip from Springfield.

The camera catches John in mid-chew with his wife Anne.

Neighbors in Bloomington, Hawkeyes in Champaign.

Kirsten chatting in the shade under the tent.

Lynn and Jan Brown enjoy tickets in Iowa City, but are happy to make a game closer to home.

Lena and Naif take a break from their game to smile for the camera.

Cari's family hoping to get the attention of the ABC TV cameras during the game.

Our view from the stands as Illinois prepares to take the field.

The flags head out onto the field in advance of "The Swarm".

There was WAY too much orange, and not enough black and gold.

Becky and Jay with the field in the background.

The camera catches some of the action on the field.

As the day got cloudier, and the hour got later, they turned the stadium lights on.

The plays on the field gave Iowa some excitement in the 4th quarter, but it wasn't enough for the win.