"I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't probably as fired up and excited as I've ever been going into a college football game," said second year head coach Kalen Deboer. "Just seems like there's been so much leading up to this and then finally it's here. You know even waking up this morning it was just different so I just think it was a special day, special day for our team."
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It was the first meeting between the two schools and the first time in 644 days that fans were inside Bulldog Stadium to watch a FS game (official attendance was 26,043). The 11:00 AM kick was also the earliest in the history of the stadium.
6th year running back Ronnie Rivers set a program record for career touchdowns scoring his 45th in the second quarter on a 61 yard pass from senior quarterback Jake Haener. That broke the mark previously set by Anthony Daigle in 1993.
"Lot of overwhelming emotions and feelings knowing that this is my last season," Rivers said after the game. "Just to be able to play in front of Bulldog fans again, I know a lot of guys were excited. They really brought the energy so we can't wait 'til next home game when they're out there again."
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Jake Haener left the game in the third quarter due to a "full body cramp" from the heat on the turf. The senior quarterback still threw for 20-26, 331 yards and 3 touchdowns. "I thought we did some good things getting the ball into the playmakers hands," Haener said. "They're dangerous dudes and they got an attitude when they're carrying the rock so it's good to see."
Next up for the Dogs is a trip to Autzen Stadium. FS will face #11 Oregon on 9/4 with another 11:00 AM kickoff.