Magic, pure and simple, has returned to Aggieland and Kyle Field.
"Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky"
From Disney’s Aladdin
In some ways, the weather of the weekend was a metaphor for this gameday and recent Aggie football. This game day followed an exceptionally stormy night in my part of Central Texas. High school games were suspended due to horrific lightening and continued either late into the evening or in one case the next day. The morning brought continued rain and low, dark clouds that hugged the horizon. When my family stopped to pick me up, the trunk was loaded with those “just in case” rain day extras --parkas and rain suits, a stack of towels, and even a change of clothing. We headed to Kyle hoping for clear weather but prepared for the worst -- just in case. Talk in my family quickly turned to football. Last season was certainly filled with horrific lightening, and while the last two games seemed to show a permanent turn to the right side, this was still now a Big 12 opponent -- the defending champion with a legendary coach. Our hearts hoped for a perfect game, but somewhere in the dark logical parts of our brains we were prepared for the worst -- just in case. As we neared Kyle, the sky was lifting, and as we parked, we made the choice of leaving most of the serious rain gear in the trunk.
The purple of K State was mixed with the Aggie Maroon as we went through the tunnel and on immediately into the stadium. The band was just marching in to Kyle Field, yet the K State sections were already filling. Many of the visitors obviously wanted to take in as much of the game atmosphere as possible. The Cav entry is always impressive, and this time for a little excitement one spirited horse had decided it would be riderless for the reviewing stand. One young rider was walking his mount -- or the mount was walking him -- by the time they reached our area of the stands. During march in the crowd continued to build and each game more people are in the stands in time to sing the Spirit with the team.
From that moment on, the game had a special magic -- as I saw the Aggies of today rediscover the greatness of Aggies past. The Aggie Band was presented new Bugles in a special ceremony that reaffirmed the lifetime allegiance that Aggies have for Aggieland. My frail words just will never do justice to this game. This game the fly over is from Ft. Hood -- helicopters in formation during the National Anthem. Texas Our Texas is followed by some incredible highlight film of the ‘98 Big 12 Championship game. Four of the heroes of that game are the honorary captions for this game -- but frankly they could have invited the entire ‘98 team -- one I will love forever. Then the captains come in for the coin toss, but most eyes go back to the Jumbotron as the 12th Man video -- that visible form of the Spirit of Aggieland -- shows the magic power of the Aggie heart. Then the 12th Man battle flag is raised, the drums begin -- the heartbeat of the pulse of Aggieland -- and number 12 and Fran lead the team on to the field. Welcome to Kyle Field, Kansas State -- Home of the 12th Man. Fear this. That is now what the entry seems to say to each visitor. The transition to the War Hymn was perfect and as the team took the field to kick off, the energy level seemed to be at a fever pitch.
The opening drive might have dampened Kyle in the recent past. But not this year, not this Kyle, not this 12th Man, not this Fightin’ Texas Aggie Football team. We simply took the ball and marched down the field to match their score. I had a particularly loud and irritating visitor yelling right into my ear during the pregame and their drive. She began to grow quiet after that touchdown, and by the second one I could remove the paper towel I had used to make an earplug for the ear nearest her. Somehow friendly noise does not make my ears ache.
This night’s magic was only partially captured by film or video. It was a magic of sound. Most youngsters had long grown tired of hearing us old timers tell of stopping games with our noise -- of quarterbacks refusing to run plays until the sounds would stop. Rules no longer allow that to happen, but tonight the 12th Man tasted blood and I don’t think they will ever again lose sight of their power. Against Clemson they learned how to stay loud an entire game; this week they learned how to turn up the volume control. And a second magic of sound was that as the students grew into a 12th man of Legend, the Former Students awakened also. I saw and heard people around us increase their volume -- some older voices I had never heard yell before. We were standing by the end of the first quarter almost all the time -- and certainly all the time on defense. Not once did I hear a “sit down so I can watch the game”. Smiles lit aged Aggie faces -- and even the trip to the concession stand parade was a trickle of its usual self. This was plain good football, and it was fun to be in the stands. No one wanted to miss a play or a moment.
During the first flash of K State offense -- that first drive -- we noticed a K State player brandishing his version of a 12th man towel. He seemed to be having a great time mocking our students and fans. Even from across the field it was hard to miss him. Early in the game the purple fans were vocal and loud, but as the 12th Man volume stepped up and as our team took the lead, they fell silent -- only rarely heard the rest of the game.
The Wrecking Crew Video was shown again. It is rapidly becoming a crowd favorite. This time there were hand signs and Wrecking Crew chants in response. Again, Kyle is starting to feel like home and the defense -- like the 12th Man -- is starting to learn that special feeling that will soon earn the title back for this unit. Stopping such a talented rusher has to build confidence that will help in future games. A second great video is done to a country song about Aggie football. Since I don’t keep up with the Texas Music scene like I should, I don’t know who does the song, but they showed it again at the end of the game. This could easily quickly become a crowd sing along favorite. The crowd stayed standing and glued to their spaces for the Fighting Texas Aggie Band. After the band drill, a check for over 100,000 was presented to the band’s travel endowment. This is that extra money many donate when they buy their season tickets. Even a few dollars a person can grow to a large number.
Then just as a few headed for the concession stand, the 1939 team was introduced on the field. These men are incredible. At their ages to care enough and be healthy enough to make this trip home speaks to a strength I can appreciate but not fully understand.
If possible, the 12th Man was even louder in the second half. K State refused to give up -- and our team refused to give in. It was college football at its finest. Just when I would think that the students could get no louder, the roar would increase. I recognized the Wrecking Crew, Wrecking Crew chant and even Reggie, Reggie, Reggie. But I did not understand one -- Let was about the only word I would get. Only after I got home did I find out that this was about the K State player with the mock 12th man towel. Seems he had been more irritating close up than we could tell from across the way. Also seems that he is not on the two or three deep roster. (Translation he was on the bench) So the students were chanting “Let George Play” ala Rudy almost. I think he then told them they were number one a couple of times so the chanting resumed . The 12th Man worked hard, but it seemed that they also managed to have some old fashioned spontaneous fun while they were at it.
After the personal foul on the bench -- the rest of the defensive series -- the volume was earsplitting. It seemed to fuel our defenders -- men who had to be tired and aching physically. Then the icing -- not just once but twice. First Reggie’s beautiful run to give us a comfortable margin, then the interception to end the K State possession were perfect endings to this perfect night.
Yet the transformation was not over. Last year my little family group would frequently stand alone for the War Hymn or the 12th Man Song. Most in 103 and 104 would head for the exit as soon as the game ended. Yet tonight not a single person asked us to move so he get out. I glanced around the stadium. The student section was still painted solid in khaki and maroon. The zone was still occupied -- at least over 50 percent. This is incredible. Staying to Sing the War Hymn for so many of the old Ags. It was as if no one wanted the fun of the evening to end.
As the camera panned the players all I saw were singing and some were clapping and jumping up and down with pure joy at the same time. Fran’s fist clenched again, showing how intense his desire to win really is. After the War Hymn, players were still jumping up and down and even skipping in pure joy as they slowly moved to the exit. Some stopped for prayer in the end zone. We headed out as they played that country video again.
The walk to the car was a sea of maroon and quieter than expected. But then I looked at the faces. Everyone I saw looked exhausted. This game the 12th Man, and the Reserves (Former Students) had become participants in the game way beyond the level of spectator. People, like players, had “left it all on the field.” It was the quiet satisfaction of a crowd that is acting like it has been there before.
Yes, the game was not perfect. These are young players and they will make mistakes. They were sometimes fooled on plays. Execution was not perfect. But each game they are getting stronger and more powerful. The 12th Man is also growing more powerful each game. The combination is intoxicating. For those far away, we are “having a wonderful time and wish you could be here.” For those closer, seriously come and join us -- Kyle is once again an incredible and magical place to watch a football game. Aggie football is once again fun. For those who were there in those three student decks -- you have my total respect and admiration. You have found the magic lantern that is Aggie Spirit. “Hold your breath - it gets better. You’re like a shooting star …You’ve come so far you can't go back to where you used to be.” Somehow I think the 12th Man will find a way to even surpass this game before the end of this season.
Now it is time to take the magic on the road.
See you there.
Beat the Hell Outta Iowa State
|
