Hlog's pregame photos from Northern Illinois-Iowa

IOWA CITY -- "I love it already," said Yvette Powell of Detroit. "I'm ready to move to Iowa.

She was here Saturday for her first Iowa football game. Her son is freshman defensive back Desmond King. Desmond's uncle, Greg King of Huntsville, Ala., drove to Iowa City to join Yvette. King is a football lifer who is the offensive line coach for the semi-pro Huntsville Rockets, the 2012 National Developmental Football League champions. King sported a sharp championship ring in the Kinnick Stadium parking lot.

Here are Greg and Yvette, and a lot of other random snapshots from the area surrounding Kinnick:

Music was plentiful. Not far from each other were a blues singer/guitarist and a DJ.

Dr. William Silverman of nearby University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics wasn't in tailgate attire (the following photo). He was able to sample the Melrose Avenue food options, though.

"We have to take care of sick people over there," he said. "It happens."

It does. I spent some time as a visitor of a family member at UIHC this summer. The people who work there do extraordinary things.