The late summer sun rays were plentiful, the smell of charcoal inundated your sense of smell and gray smoke caught a ride on the gentle breeze and billowed through the air.

A plethora of activities surround a college football game. Except this weekend, when NIU’s game at Akron won’t be televised. So, what other activities can replace our beloved pre-game preparation?

For those who long for the tailgating festivities that feature a vast array of coolers armed with icy beverages, the NIU women’s soccer team has a pair of conference home games on Friday and Sunday.

While it’s uncommon to witness crowds of inebriated fans challenging every referee call, we are all about recognizing trend-setters here at NIU.

If smoldering grills prepare your tray of hot dogs and burgers, men’s soccer is in action Wednesday night. Transport your grills and grub to the grassy expanse at Huskie Soccer Field. You can enjoy your charcoal-flavored delicacies in time for dinner and catch the 5 p.m. game.

Volleyball begins MAC conference play Friday. An early forecast calls for thunderstorms Friday, so this is where the full-body paint crew belongs. Volleyball action takes place inside at Victor E. Court, a shelter that would provide a haven for the body-paint. Take seat at center-court so all in attendance can read the N-I-U stenciled on your bare stomachs.

For the legions with cardinal-red flags that serve as location beacons to fellow revelers, you have a special assignment: Be superfans. Attend each and every event. Attack the occasion with the vitality and vigor of a football game.

If a 42-3 drub-fest against an overwhelmed Div. I-AA team is exhilarating, then challenge yourselves to meet each and every non-football game with the same passion.

Imagine if every Div. I student-athlete experienced the sensation of 26,123 keyed-up fans, euphorically pounding corporate noise makers in a testosterone-induced atmosphere (Note to superfans: you can combo the various fan forms identified if you’d like).

NIU football took a large gulp of the cream puff tonic on Saturday. If you were the “full throat guy,” who demanded fourth quarter passing plays, and chanted your larynx out well after the outcome of the game had been determined, then a road trip for some football is what you need.

Last year’s contest with Akron was decided by a mere 30 points. NIU looks to make it back-to-back wins, this time at the Rubber Bowl. The stadium’s name alone should inspire fans to make the voyage.

If those options don’t cut it for you, the Pearl Jam cover band Evenflow is at Starbusters and it plays a wicked version of “Daughter.”