to the Coral Ridge Mall, park and take the train, the "Hawkeye Express,” service beginning two hours before kickoff, or (4) park early at the Vine, watch Saturday start on the tube there, then stroll the 3/4 mile across campus, to the contest. 

All things considered, the Vine was the obvious choice, if he could get a parking place.  Just gotta get there early - up and at 'em - no problem.

A mocha latte’ at The Java House and TC was ready to call it a day.  The ped mall was pulsating with music, students and hard-core fans who were just getting started as he headed back to the Roof, around 11 p.m.

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Cap stepped out into the Iowa sun and took a deep breath.  An October Saturday on campus in Big Ten country.  Autumn foliage, tradition, brats and smash-mouth, the color, the pageantry, the intensity of gameday, another life-or-death showdown - nothin' else like it.

When the Vine came into view, he breathed a sigh of relief.  There were several parking spots left.   Entering the lot, he handed a crisp new ten dollar bill through the window to the attendant, a middle-aged version of Herky, himself.  "Thanks,” the attendant said "and Go Hawks!” Caught by surprise, Cap managed a weak “Yeah, uh…Go Hawks,” as he made his retreat.  Obviously, it was game-face time.  

Inside, ESPN College Football GameDay was live from West Lafayette, for Wisconsin at Purdue.  When Corso donned the Boiler head, 1/2 the crowd in the Vine laughed; the other 1/2 groaned.  Then the screens around the room lit up with games from across the country.  For the next hour and a half, his head on a swivel, TC was lost in following the action and tracking incoming scores.  But Kinnick was calling; it was time to go.

The campus was ablaze with the colors of autumn, and the morning's chill had given way to the sun's persistence.  The air was crisp, the sky was clear, with a slight breeze, mid-50's. Perfect. Cap moved past Carver-Hawkeye Arena and through the tailgaters across the street. 

A group to his left seemed quite proud of a huge blow-up Herky.  "Go Hawks"! shouted Cap.  "Go Hawks"! came a resounding reply, and their leader offered him a bratwurst.  Cap declined at first, then came to his senses and accepted.  The brat was great, and he drifted on with the masses, toward Kinnick. 

Meanwhile, tailgaters were feasting across the area: along Hawkins, in City Park, in the old practice field near Manville Heights, in the University Park beside the river.  South of the stadium, the "Hawkeye Rally Alley,” pre-game home of Gary Dolphin, Ed Podolak and Rob Brooks, radio voices of the Hawkeyes, drew fans for a chance to win prizes and to collect autographs from current and former coaches and players. 

Over his left shoulder, Cap heard the band in the distance, getting louder, before ending "The Iowa Fight Song.”  Then the drums took over, growing nearer, still.  The crowd parted as The Hawkeye Marching Band thundered around the corner and struck up "On Iowa.” 

As they passed, Cap found himself joining with the Hawkeye faithful, "Iowa, Iowa...Iowa, Iowa…I-O-W-A!"  And then they were gone, the drumline pulling the fans behind them.  An advancing army of Black and Gold, the crowd surged as one, across the campus, through the leaves, toward Kinnick, and the answer that lay within.

They squeezed in, 70,000 plus, filling Kinnick to its brim.  The old stadium exploded in sound as Herky led the team out, carrying the huge Hawkeye flag.  The team entered the field in the "swarm" formation, with the players arm-in-arm, 4-6 across.  The swarm run-out was implemented at Iowa by Hayden Fry.  Other schools such as Kansas State and Auburn have used it recently, but as any Hawk fan will tell you, the swarm is originally and distinctly Iowa - all others are imposters - nothing more.

Iowa struggled for control of the game with mixed success - and no points - as the first quarter unfolded.  The crowd grew nervous,