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PrintAMES, Iowa — A group of five Missouri fans knows what hospitality means.
John Allen, Stephen Richey, Josh Woodward, Ron Armentrout and Robert Harris have traveled to various Big 12 Conference schools and bowl games to watch the Tigers. At Kansas the group has “never been treated as bad,” while at Texas A&M they “have never been treated as nice,” which includes Aggie fans buying them a beer.
With differing experiences, the group knows that when a stranger comes up to the back of the black Toyota Sequoia tailgate, it’s best to offer the visitor a beer and some food.
The group, who has known each other for about 10 years, usually goes to one or two road games a year. Saturday’s game in Ames, Iowa, is the second road trip the group made this season. Woodward and Harris came up Friday night, while the other three met each other at the Bass Pro Shop in Columbia and left at 5:57 a.m. On the ride up Allen, Richey, and Armentrout reminisced about all the good times they have had together.
“We get to hang out with good people and make great friends,” Allen said.
The group also went to College Station, Texas, for the Texas A&M game this season. While in College Station, they were impressed with the traditions such as Midnight Yell Practice. Allen said he would like Missouri to play up the school’s football history more like Texas A&M does.
“Missouri has tons of tradition, but doesn’t bring it up,” Allen said.
After mentioning the Tigers’ history, the group recalled former Tigers, such as Tommy Reamon (1972-3), John Staggers (1967-9) and Gerry Ellis (1977-79) off the top of their heads and how they brought glory to MU.
Allen said none of the guys went to Missouri, but that doesn’t stop them from being fans.
“I’m interested in Missouri because I’m a Missouri kid,” Allen said, as he remembered listening to games on radio while growing up in Louisiana, Mo.
INJURY WATCH: Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said receiver Will Franklin injured his shoulder and Brad Ekwereku has a hurt knee.
Franklin landed hard on his left shoulder in early in the first quarter and did not play the rest of the game.
Martin Rucker played with turf toe and said it was fine.
Domonique Johnson, who has missed the past five games with a knee injury, had an interception, four tackles and two broken up passes.
ISU HISTORY: Dan McCarney became the first Iowa State coach since George Veenker in 1936 to end his tenure as coach with a win. Veenker beat Drake 21-7. McCarney, who announced he would resign after the Missouri game on Nov. 8, is also the first Cyclone coach since Veenker to begin and end his Iowa State career with a win.
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