Since 2018, I have been on the sidelines taking pictures for 27 P4 games between Ames, Iowa City, and Madison. What I have seen this year has convinced me that we are still little brother. Why do I say that? The fans.
Kinnick is far and away a louder and tougher environment to play than Jack Trice. "But JustBecause, its because their stadium is set up better for sound." You would not be wrong in saying that. The pictures below highlight the differences in spacing between the field and the fans at both locations. The fans in Kinnick are considerably closer. There are as many as 13 rows of fans behind the other teams bench before our first row.
But thats not what I am talking about. The 1st half of the BYU game was the first game this season, where fans were loud the whole time. And then the fans quit. We had a 4 point lead and it took 3rd down and the PA announcer to get people to stand up and make noise. Kinnick is loud even when they are on offense and they shouldnt be. With the exception of a couple of endzone sections, they stand the entire game.
I saw a number of people on twitter calling out the south endzone for only being partially full during the game and for good reason.
However the East side isnt much better:
Add in the West side of the stadium sitting on their hands most of the game and there you have it.
"But JustBecause, the team is playing poorly and they arent giving us anything to cheer about." No. Its our jobs as fans to create the environment and help them even when they are down. The first half of BYU showed what difference the crowd can make with 2 false starts in a row. In the second half, we were ahead by 4 points and couldnt be bothered to make noise outside of 3rd down. Its sad really.
Kinnick is far and away a louder and tougher environment to play than Jack Trice. "But JustBecause, its because their stadium is set up better for sound." You would not be wrong in saying that. The pictures below highlight the differences in spacing between the field and the fans at both locations. The fans in Kinnick are considerably closer. There are as many as 13 rows of fans behind the other teams bench before our first row.
But thats not what I am talking about. The 1st half of the BYU game was the first game this season, where fans were loud the whole time. And then the fans quit. We had a 4 point lead and it took 3rd down and the PA announcer to get people to stand up and make noise. Kinnick is loud even when they are on offense and they shouldnt be. With the exception of a couple of endzone sections, they stand the entire game.
I saw a number of people on twitter calling out the south endzone for only being partially full during the game and for good reason.
However the East side isnt much better:
Add in the West side of the stadium sitting on their hands most of the game and there you have it.
"But JustBecause, the team is playing poorly and they arent giving us anything to cheer about." No. Its our jobs as fans to create the environment and help them even when they are down. The first half of BYU showed what difference the crowd can make with 2 false starts in a row. In the second half, we were ahead by 4 points and couldnt be bothered to make noise outside of 3rd down. Its sad really.
Last edited:
