Carl Sandburg, a three time Pulitzer Prize winner, said it best, “Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me.” That was the case for me on a normal Tuesday morning. I had just sat down to watch “The Herd” and enjoy a nice bowl of Cap’n Crunch when I felt a vibration in my pocket. I pulled my cell phone out and noticed that Ryan Capwell was calling me. I talked to Ryan everyday at school, but never really hung out with him outside of school or sports. I haven’t seen him since my high school graduation party back in June. That’s why I just figured that him calling me was an accident. I answered with a simple hello and he responded, “Hi Travis, this is Ryan Capwell. My family has an extra ticket to the Badger game this Saturday and I was wondering if you wanted to come with.” A big smile came to my face, but I was speechless. I was able to muster out, “I will call you back once I talk to my parents about it.” When my mom came home, I told her of the news that I received and she did not have any problems with me going. I sent Capwell a text that read, “My parents don’t have a problem with me going so just give me the details when you know them.”
We departed from West Salem at 10:00 A.M. After countless hours of passing by trees and fields, we finally arrived in Madison at around 1:00 P.M. for the 2:30 P.M. game time. Just driving down the streets of Madison and seeing all of the red, made me fully realize how special and dedicated the Wisconsin Badger faithful is. I have been a Badger fan my whole life, but this being my first game helped me to put everything in perspective. We parked and headed for Camp Randall Stadium right away. We passed thousands of fans pre gaming and parted multiple red seas on our way. I have never seen anything quite like it. We walked under the Camp Randall arch and found the proper gate to enter. I got my ticket scanned and followed Capwell to where our seats were located. We walked up a set of stairs and when we turned the corner I stopped dead in my tracks. There it was. The playing field. Seeing that was one of the greatest feelings I have ever felt. It was a greater feeling than opening presents on Christmas morning and getting exactly what you wanted.
I made my way down to my seat: Section U, Row 29, Seat 5. It was on the 40 yard line which is nearly perfect for football. The stadium still had a long way to go to reach its capacity of 80,000 as only a few thousand had made there way in already. Since we hadn’t eaten anything yet, Capwell’s dad took us to the concession stand and bought us a brat and a soda. The soda came in a Barry Alvarez commemorative cup in which I still have to this day. I wandered around a little bit looking at the history and photos that Camp Randall had to offer before going back into the stadium.
Wisconsin Hall of Fame running back Ron Dayne was the honorary guest to do the coin flip, which Wisconsin won the toss and elected to receive. Arizona State lined up to kickoff and 70,000 Wisconsin Badgers fans were on their feet yelling, “OOOOHHHH!” James White took the kick and returned it to the 25 yard line setting up first and ten for Wisconsin. It was a rough start for both teams as each kicker missed a field goal in the first quarter. With 40 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Wisconsin kicker Philip Welch redeemed himself by drilling a 49 yard field goal to put the Badgers up 3-0. The cheers from the made field goal turned into thunderous boos when Arizona State took the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown to go up 7-3. After trading field goals, the score was 10-6 Arizona State until Wisconsin quarterback hit Lance Kendricks for a 14 yard touchdown to put the Badgers up 13-10 with just ten seconds left in the first half. Yet again the cheers turned into boos when Arizona State was on the verge of taking yet another kick back to end the half. That was until Shelton Johnson saved the day and saved the field from being used as a garbage can. Johnson tackled Arizona State kick returner Omar Bolden just one yard short of the end zone. Halftime. Wisconsin 13 Arizona State 10.
The second half started with a series of sarcastic cheers as Wisconsin was able to tackle Bolden with plenty of yards to spare this time. An Arizona State field goal tied the game at 13 until Badger running back and Heisman Trophy hopeful John Clay burst threw the line and into the end zone from 19 yards out to put Wisconsin up 20-13. The third quarter ended and to any Wisconsin Badger fan, that only meant one thing: JUMP AROUND!!! House of Pain’s “Jump Around” hit the speakers and Camp Randall Stadium did its best impression of an earthquake as the fans and players jumped around. There is no tradition like it in college football.
The fourth quarter started and when Wisconsin couldn’t run the clock out, Arizona State made them pay. With just over four minutes remaining, Cameron Marshall scampered into the end zone to make it a one point game, with the extra point coming. All American Thomas Weber lined up for the kick. The snap was good, but the kick was blocked! My favorite Badger player Jay Valai had jumped over the line and had gotten a hand on the football. Camp Randall Stadium went into a state of pandemonium as the Badgers were able to preserve the one point lead. John Clay was able to run the clock out as the Badgers hung on for a 20-19 win.
After the game, we met up with Capwell’s mom and they bought us dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. I order a hamburger smothered in Swiss cheese and mushrooms and it had to be the biggest hamburger I have ever eaten in my life. We departed for home afterwards, and I passed out somewhere along the way. When I made it home I flipped the television on to ESPN, and Iowa, my most hated team, was losing to Arizona. I stayed up until 1:00A.M. to watch the upset. It was indeed a perfect day. Being able to witness your favorite player make the game winning play, to see your favorite team win in person, and to be able to watch your most despised team get upset on national television.
You never really know what to expect in life, as a something as simple as a phone call could give you one of your best days ever. A day I will never forget and no number of thank you’s could ever repay what Ryan and his family gave me on that day. Treat everyone with the same amount of respect, because you never know who could be there for you when you need help the most.
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