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Ohio State 012, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a stadium in college football that is as well-recognized simply by its shape. The OSU stadium is laid out in the shape of a horseshoe and has a capacity to seat 89,841 screaming fans. Source: OhioStateTix.com

I sit in row 9 (not bad) near the bottom of the “U” is a good place to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes. This game, against Ohio University, was an “All Ohio College Football Game” one that hadn’t been played since 1999.

A new cheer that involves fan interaction was started this year with Youngstown State. Every time Ohio State gets a first, the scoreboard announcer says, “Gain of (blank) on the play and that’s another Buckeeeeeeeeeye … (crowd response) first down.”

Now its the second game, and I agree with Buckeye Commentary blog poster who says, … for the love of all things Ohio State, stop the call and response first down announcement from the scoreboard. Stop it. Right. Now.

Still, Buckeye games are fun. Tailgating is even funner.

Waterboy John Beagle, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

Here I am at the October 28, 2007 game, Steelers vs Bengals. My mission was to keep #38, Fullback Carey Davis drinking Gatorade Electrolyte. In the meantime, I did get to see the game from the coaches perspective.

It was great being with the team this year with their new coach, Mike Tomlin. However, Bill Cowher was more intense and in your face. Also, one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, Kenny Anderson was there as Pittsburgh’s new assistant coach.

Thanks to Head Trainer John Norwig for needing and additional trainer on the field in Cincinnati. In the 8 games that I assisted, the Steelers have won every time. But don’t give me all the credit.