The first football game of the semester brought a surge of spirit, tradition and excitement. Fans kicked off the new season’s first win against the Sam Houston Bearkats 24-41. From tailgates to the Big Red Marching Band and a sea of red shirts, the Hilltopper community came together. It was an example of community, energy and WKU tradition.
Talisman’s website visuals editor, Kaitlyn Webb, was there to capture it all.
Members of WKU Cru play 9 square while tailgating at South Lawn in preparation for the first football game of the season on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)3-year-old, Stratton Turner, reaches for a cupcake while tailgating before the first game of the football season at South Lawn on Saturday, Aug. 23. Stratton has been attending WKU tailgates his entire life. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Sophomore cheerleader, Tally Price, poses for a family photo on South Lawn before performing during the first football game of the season on Saturday, Aug. 23. “The whole team is excited to start off a year on week zero,” Price said. “I am so happy that my family could come today; it’s so special for them to watch me cheer.” (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Julian Turner, 67, attends his 20th football tailgate on South Lawn before for the Hilltoppers face Sam Houston Bearkats on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)3-year-old Gigi Merrick looks at merchandise in the WKU Store while tailgating for the first football game of the season on Saturday, Aug. 23. “Her first football tailgate was a week after she was born,” her father, Monty Merrick, a former WKU Football player and alumnus, said. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Student Government Association’s Chief Financial Officer, Gabriel Jerdon, prepares burgers for the first time for students during tailgating before the Hilltoppers kick off the season at South Lawn on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)WKU Senior, Jayne Shannon, prepares to smash a demolition car during the opening day tailgate at South Lawn on Saturday, Aug. 23. “I am super excited,” Shannon said. “Even though I am a senior, this is technically my first year tailgating because I am usually in the marching band. I’m getting to experience everything for the first time and it’s really fun.” (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)3-year-old Amelia Sowell and 2-year-olds, Norah and Warren Sowell, play in South Lawns parking lot during the first tailgate of the season on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Fans wait in line to get into the first football game of the season outside of Houchens Smith-Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)WKU Sophomore, Landon Patton, screams with his friends in the student section during the first game of the season against Sam Houston Bearkats at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)The WKU Big Red Marching Band mocks Sam Houston Bearkats during the first game of the season at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Members of the Big Red Marching Band mock Sam Houston Bearkats during the first game of the season at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Big Red launches merch at a fan during the first game of the season at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)WKU Sophomore, Landon Patton, lies in the grass of the student section during the game against Sam Houston Bearkats at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Big Red reaches into the stands to give a fan a high-five during the first game of the season at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Fans look back to check the score during the end of the fourth quarter against Sam Houston Bearkats at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Big Red performs with the Topperettes during the first game of the season at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)8-year-old Jax Robinson cheers while checking the scoreboard during the end of the fourth quarter against Sam Houston Bearkats at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. “I feel so great and the game is going good,” Robinson said. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)WKU students cheer after winning the first game of the season at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)Big Red waves to fans while leaving Houchens-Smith Stadium after the Hilltoppers beat Sam Houston Bearkats on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Photo by Kaitlyn Webb)
