Have noticed over the past 10-15 years that our fan base does not really ever create crowd noise for the opposing teams on 1st or second downs. Even during series where it is critical we create a stop, our crowd is so quiet and un-engaged until 3rd downs. Don’t people realize that crowd noise makes things difficult on the offense on downs other than third down ?? Is our fanbase that un-educated? It was especially evident yesterday. This has frustrated me for years. It almost seems like the crowd only waits for that third down song we play to make noise. Maybe that is the problem. There is too much reliance on that song and it really has become a lame tradition. Kind of makes me cringe when I see our fans do this cheesy guitar strum when other CFB crowds seem to create a huge roar throughout a full defensive series. How about some organically created distractions for the opposing teams? Myself and a few others in our section try to get the noise started on 1st & 2nd downs but rarely does the crowd get involved. It’s such a weak performance from us fans in support of the team. Do most of our fans really need an invitation to make noise that that song offers them? Or maybe play it on all downs?? But that would be even more cringe worthy.
Frustrating stadium fan trend & 3rd down song
- Thread starter RUbot
- Start date
I haven't been to the stadium in a while but from what I hear from everyone is that our stadium piped in noise and music just take everyone out of the feel of the game.
Never liked the guitar strum, but have always LOVED For Whom the Bell Tolls.
I agree our stadium fans have lost their ability to create an atmosphere, it’s mainly because of the horrible scoreboard music production. This is very apparent when visiting other teams stadiums. Another item in the long list of things to fix with the rutgers football program.
It was pretty quiet at times but there is only so much fans can do. I thought considering crowd size and that some were USC that the fans made decent noise on third downs.
Yes. This among many other things. It's one of the few things us as fans can actually do to affect the outcome of the game.... and on a whole WE FAIL on first and second downs It is so weak that our fans create no intimidating atmosphere on first or second downs and wait for that stupid guitar strum gimmick on third down to make noise. Makes me feel the whole crowd is uneducated on how to create a home field advantage.
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Started with the initiation of the guitar strum. Any time crowd is encouraged to use arms versus voice will lower noise intensity. And PJ absolutely ruined crowd noise by throwing any other distraction, many in use simultaneously, he could into the equation. Train horn, music, having Joe Nolan extend the third down call etc…just diminished the crowd and made for an unpleasant viewing experience.
Typical opponent third down at SHI:
1. 25-30 seconds of Joe Nolan: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD its THIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRD DOWN!
2. Insert Train Horn for 5-10 seconds.
3. Max 5 seconds- For Whom The Bell Tolls . . . . Because the goody two shoes and Hobbs don't like the "F Penn State chant."
Such a buzz kill. Watched from home yesterday and found myself screaming at the TV nearly every USC third down- "Joe, STFU!!!!!!"
1. 25-30 seconds of Joe Nolan: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD its THIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRD DOWN!
2. Insert Train Horn for 5-10 seconds.
3. Max 5 seconds- For Whom The Bell Tolls . . . . Because the goody two shoes and Hobbs don't like the "F Penn State chant."
Such a buzz kill. Watched from home yesterday and found myself screaming at the TV nearly every USC third down- "Joe, STFU!!!!!!"
Too many air horns and cannons for me and the kids. Annoying.
It never always used to be like that. In my undergrad years (2007-2011), we used to yell on early downs for the whole game. As I came back as an alumni over the years though, I’d yell on early downs and people works look at me like I’m crazy. Lmao. *Sigh* The good ‘ole days.
I’m not sure if the student section does it, but you almost have to start with them and the Riot Squad. Hopefully, the rest of the stadium catches on after that. The stadium IMO naturally feeds off the energy of the student section (at least the sections nearby).
I’m not sure if the student section does it, but you almost have to start with them and the Riot Squad. Hopefully, the rest of the stadium catches on after that. The stadium IMO naturally feeds off the energy of the student section (at least the sections nearby).
This ^^^^
When you pump in blaring music right up to the last seconds before the snap you're not going to get any crowd noise. People feel it's useless to try and scream over some rap song while it's blaring.
By time the music stops and the crowd noise begins to ramp up, the snap has already happened. The 3rd down guitar strum makes it even worse. This has been a gripe of mine for over a decade and is solely on gameday operations, not the fans.
I used to get weird looks for making noise on 1st and 2nd downs. In the Club-fuggetabout it!
Maybe they could make two sections of the stadium screamers and noisemakers, and we could all sit together?
The problem with the guitar strum is people aren’t making noise.
It’s the combination of us sucking and the outrageously loud / long winded piped in music drowning fans out.
.
Also agree with those that do not like the air guitar. From the first time I saw it at the stadium, I hated it. And whoever came up with it- was more worried about looking cool rather than pure football. I loved that during the GS 1.0 and the first couple of years in the B1G- we still maintained a more organic noise. And when teams came to our little stadium for the first time were a bit shocked on how loud the "fans" could be. Piped music being loud does not do the same thing.
Crowd noise and fan engagement will return when consistent competitive football returns. This is a non-issue
This in a nutshell. Especially on 3rd down, you have this blaring noise which cuts off leaving a low level as the opposing QB gets ready to snap the ball.
2006 was obviously great but also remember the early part of the 2007 schedule just thinking wow, this is what it must be like every year at big SEC schools. Just constant loud roar on every defensive snap. I recall a colleague of mine who didn’t attend Rutgers telling me how wild the atmosphere felt for the Cincinnati game that year. Unfortunately, Schiano blew the opportunity and underperformed until he left.
Another guy who sits on his hands with his mouth shut on first and second down. Thanks for helping to create a competitive advantage. Just the kind of fans RU needs !!! Thanks for your help
I'm older, but it reminds me of the hand gesture Mr. Roper used to make to Jack on Three's Company. And before the outrage begins, I have zero issues. We have many friends and family that we love and support. And we can joke around with some of them, and they don't get offended.
For the regular fans, the piped in noise is probably about half the issue. The other half is we haven't stopped anyone in about 15 years.
That said, does our student section actually make ANY noise anymore? I sit a few sections over from them and couldn't hear them at all against USC.
That said, does our student section actually make ANY noise anymore? I sit a few sections over from them and couldn't hear them at all against USC.
Rutgers has held a lead for less than 3 minutes combined this entire season and people wonder why the crowd is disengaged. And that 3 minutes were right after we scored on the first drive of the year. The loud piped in noises wouldn't be an issue if the place was rocking. That only happens when you play quality football.
The student section has largely had nothing to cheer about for quite some time now. Keep in mind, this program didnt have one single home win against a P5 opponent for 5 full calendar years from '17 to '22 season. And that is while in a power conference
The student section has largely had nothing to cheer about for quite some time now. Keep in mind, this program didnt have one single home win against a P5 opponent for 5 full calendar years from '17 to '22 season. And that is while in a power conference
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