story by Dale Cullins
Editor’s note: Welcome to the fourth season of Tusk to Tail – the sport of tailgating as organized, performed and perfected by a group of Hog fans who have been tailgating together sober and otherwise for more than a decade. Members of the Tusk to Tail Team are Sean Casey, Jack Clark, Dale Cullins, Greg Houser, Craig May, David Rice and Mark Wagner. Tusk to Tail is managed by The City Wire. Legal representation is iffy at best and professional psychological help is typically ignored, if not mocked.
The diehards may also be followed on their Facebook page. Or follow the crew on Twitter — @TuskToTail
Thirty five days. That was the last time the Hogs played a game on the Fayetteville campus. It might as well have been a year, since it seems like it was last November. But that could be a good thing considering the way that game went against Texas Tech.
Most of Tusk to Tail has traveled more than 3,200 miles in the past four weeks since that game. We brought home a win over Tennessee and should have had a win over the Aggies to show for it. I like the Hogs’ chances this weekend with our old friend Gus in town. I just don’t think his defense is ready for the Razorbacks.
To add insult to injury, the SEC gods handed Arkansas an 11 a.m. kickoff for what we thought would be the biggest on-campus game of the season six weeks ago. However, if you go 2 and 4, it is to be expected. The weather forecast just wants to pile on for good measure and make it all worse. I don’t really mind an odd shower or two, we can handle that. It’s the all-day rain that can really dampen the spirits of a tailgate. At this time it is expected to be more of the off and on rain. Let’s hope so.
Weather permitting, I’ll try to do as much wiring and banner hanging as I can on Friday evening, as that will save about an hour of time on Saturday. Greg Houser and I should hit the tailgate spot with some help from Mark Wagner and Jack Clark around 7 a.m. Saturday, and with a little luck, we will have it all ready by 8.
I really don’t mind one breakfast game a year. It provides a little break in the menu planning and allows everyone to get home at a decent hour to watch other games. Another benefit is that it does not require as many provisions. It is a lot easier to feed folks for just three hours, and I’m sure the threat of rain will keep the numbers down.
As far as breakfast foods, we have worked out some staples that seem to get eaten up before these early games. A couple of egg casseroles, sausage balls, a cream cheese Danish, donuts, cinnamon rolls, some biscuit sandwiches and assorted breakfast meats will be easy and will satisfy. I’ll break out the microwave oven to make sure anything can get heated quickly if the warming trays haven’t had enough time to get things done.
Tusk to Tail’s Bloody Mary bar is always a big hit, and we will be adding a Hot Chocolate Bar for both the kids and the adults. Mimosas and other champagne cocktails are also a big hit with the ladies for the early games. I recommend Asti Spumante’s sparkling wines or a similar brand. They are less expensive, and most people are very happy with them as they tend to be sweeter than real champagne.
Some things you might consider on those are as follows:
Bloody Mary Bar:
Sliced Jalapenos
Pickled Okra
Pickled Green Beans
Pickled Asparagus
Olives
Baby Corn
Pearl Onions
Hot Chocolate Bar:
Bailey’s Irish Cream
Peppermint Schnapps
Whipped Flavored Vodka
Marshmallows
Peppermints
Red Hots
Whipped Cream
Lastly, don’t forget to pick up a bale or two of straw for the game. Put it down as you set up and it should help to keep all of your guests’ feet dry and mud-free for the day.
Go Hogs, Beat Tigers!