The sun shone through the clouds over McMahon Stadium, filling the crowd with excited energy for the new academic year. Under the bright rays, people in the stands joined in to take part in a campus ritual, whether or not they understood the game.
Three students in the crowd, wearing Dinos gear and glitter on their cheeks, said they knew little about football but had to come to the Friday night game. They believed that kickoff serves as the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors at the start of the semester.
The trio watched the game from the stands, seeing it less as complex plays and strategic maneuvers and more as a welcome to the semester and a chance to absorb all the “good vibes.”
On the field, the fourth-ranked Dinos football team gave the crowd plenty of reasons to stay loud and energetic. The team delivered a dominant first two quarters against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. The Dinos’ fourth-year running back, Matthieu Clarke set the tempo early with relentless ground gains, punching in the game’s opening touchdown.
Fourth-year quarterback David Jordan orchestrated a sharp aerial attack. He connected with fourth-year receiver Matt Sibley for a 34-yard gain, and later found him again for a 15-yard touchdown. Jordan also threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to running back Evan Smith.
With consistent work from first-year kicker Boaz Comeau and punter Ira Hozack, the Dinos built a commanding 24–7 lead by halftime.
This authoritative performance carried extra weight for the upperclassmen who remember the team’s past home openers. The early lead acted as a satisfying shift in momentum, as the Dinos haven’t won a kickoff game in four years. For two fourth-year Kinesiology majors, a win for the first big event of the season helps build school spirit. The duo said kickoff serves as the key driver for students to gather and unify the campus community.
Beyond the game clock and mounting lead on the scoreboard, the event thrived on classic campus atmosphere. The resident bunnies — which live on the field and frequently make appearances — came out, and the crowd fawned over the halftime highlights, such as the popular Corgi race.
Clover, a corgi in the halftime show, settled in to watch the Dinos claim their victory. Clover’s owner noted that these sorts of events are an affordable way for students to interact with each other and build bonds outside of the regular classrooms.
While the halftime entertainment provided a break, the Dinos' momentum on the field remained unbroken.
The Dinos remained strong throughout the game, bringing their total to 31 points by the end of the third quarter thanks to key plays from Jordan and second-year receiver Tim Duerr. Early in the fourth quarter, an additional point was added via a single rouge, a one point scoring play, from Hozack’s 46-yard punt, bringing the final score to 32.
Whether drawn in by the downfield touchdown passes, halftime festivities or pure student connection; this kickoff proved once again that the year is best started together.
