ARKANSAS, USA — As many Razorback fans headed to Little Rock on Thursday, Aug. 29, for the first football game of the season against the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, excitement was also building among fans back in Fayetteville.
Students at the University of Arkansas told 5NEWS they are hopeful for a great season and looking forward to seeing what some new and returning faces bring to the table.
“There's a lot of excitement with the new things that have happened with the team,” said sophomore Cole Flynn. “Last year had a lot of big expectations going in, and then didn't quite get there, but I'm hoping for a bounce back this year ... Definitely, Bobby Petrino being back, it's exciting. You grow up as a kid and hear about it and then had a little bit of a downfall, so now that he's back, it kind of excites you a little bit.”
Some students said they planned to skip class and join the crowds of fans making the road trip to Little Rock on Thursday afternoon, while others said they would have watch parties at home.
Either way, the first game of the season marked the beginning of many students’ favorite time of the year.
“You're in [the student section], and you're shoulder-to-shoulder with people you don't know, it's all sweaty, and you're just excited for a Razorback touchdown,” said sophomore Lucas Reed.
Seniors Grace Mive and Katherine Neely said they were especially excited for one final semester of Razorback football.
“If I have an extra semester, I definitely want it to be in the fall when I can go to football games,” Mive said.
“It’s our official last first game … as Arkansas students, so the student section is just another level of fun energy,” Neely added. "Everyone just looks forward to Saturdays. We're done with school, you get to wake up early in the morning, you're getting ready with your friends, you get to drive, try to find a parking spot, and then it's excitement everywhere on campus."
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