Across the country, bleachers that haven’t felt the warmth of fans in more than two years fill up. Cardboard cutouts of fans — a relic of the games played during COVID-19 — were finally replaced with roaring crowds with colorful jerseys and foam fingers. Parking lots run rampant with tailgate parties as the entire country celebrates the return of college football.
Some may look at rabid fans with tie-dyed chests and players going through pre-game rituals with judging stares and bewildered eyes. The obscure ceremonies don’t make much sense to people who are new to the game. But from first-year students packed into bleachers to faithful alumni up in expensive box seats, college football brings all sorts of people together. Whether you’re a big-time Buckeye or a die-hard Longhorn, a new season promises a fresh start for schools across the country.
In Blacksburg, VA, where the Virginia Tech Hokies hosted the tenth-ranked Carolina Tar Heels, Lane stadium reminded the world how much of an electric environment it is. In a venue famous for its opening entrance of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” seasoned fans knew that the next three hours would be perhaps the loudest of their life.
Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister, regarding the volume, said, “We were on the goal line at one point, and I don’t think my (own) O(offensive)-line could hear me.”
The charged crowd and the Hokie defense proved too much for UNC, as they were upset 17-10.
The matchup between Georgia and Clemson in Charlotte, NC, proved to be an intense game too. Like Virginia Tech, the Georgia defense stifled the offense of the Clemson Tigers and held them to a field goal in the Bulldogs 10-3 win.
Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei was sacked a whopping seven times as the team could only muster up a total of 180 yards. Overall, offensive performance for both teams was lackluster, as Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith scored the only touchdown of the game on a 74-yard pick-six.
Even as the game was the first of the year for both teams, it had huge playoff implications. Clemson, pre-season favorites to win the ACC, have already put themselves behind the 8-ball with Saturday’s loss. If they miss the playoffs, it would be for the first time since 2014. As for Georgia, it was the first win of an SEC schedule that features top 25 matchups like Florida, Auburn and Kentucky.
Right up the road in Lexington, the Kentucky Wildcats welcomed the University of Louisiana-Monroe and handed them a 45-10 butt-whooping.
In his debut game at Kroger Field, graduate transfer quarterback Will Levis threw an impressive four touchdowns and 367 yards. Levis also made headlines before the game when a video of him eating a banana with the skin on went viral. Thankfully, his interesting diet choices didn’t affect his performance as the Wildcats rolled to victory.
While Wilmore doesn’t have a massive stadium or wild tailgates of its own, there is still some hope for Eagle fans. We can look through screens to witness powerhouse programs come and go, but I think we have a well-kept secret. Our football team has been undefeated since 1890, and we don’t plan on losing any time soon.
