Tailgaters filled the parking lot of Memorial Stadium Saturday evening for the first football game of the season. Sororities and fraternities set up grills and speakers and started the night in celebration, giving hamburgers and hot dogs to whomever showed up. Hundreds never entered the stadium, but continued to show their support from outside its walls, partying.

A big tradition before home games, the tailgating party was loud and bustling, with crowds of men and women dancing, eating food, and meeting new people. In the middle of everything, Sigma Nu set up a beanbag toss so that people passing by could join in. 

“I came here to support my school and cheer them on so they can win the big game. I love tailgating because I’m around a bunch of new people and I get to eat and socialize and do something not at home,” Lauren Taylor, nursing sophomore, said.

School spirit showed throughout the crowd, with colors of maroon and gold worn by almost everyone. Excitement grew as the night went on, and the score continued to rise.

“I’m here to watch some great MSU football today, I really love the atmosphere and the people who are here, I just got here and already I’m hanging out with new people and I absolutely love it,” Katelyn Vinson, nursing junior, said.

Even students who aren’t big fans of football came out to see what tailgating was all about.

“I used to cheer, so I’m here to tailgate for the first time ever, and I’m new to the school so I’ve heard it’s a good way to meet new people, and so far I’m having a good time. It’s so fun to go throughout all of the different setups that the sororities and fraternities have set up,” Haleigh Camerlin, radiology junior said.

After a fun night of dancing, and celebrating, the football team’s  victory  gave tailgaters a good reason to spend all night partying and celebrating.

“Yeah I plan on going to a few parties, and I’ve been invited out, but I don’t know if I’ll go or not,” Taylor said.