SDSU fans gather at tailgate in Stillwater

STILLWATER, OKLA. (KELO) — To begin the 2024 season, SDSU traveled down to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for a matchup with Oklahoma State, and so did numerous Jackrabbit fans.

Hundreds of Jacks fans made the trip to Cowboy country to cheer on the two-time reigning FCS champions, and they were all smiles.

“We have really, really good fans,” Clara Putler said. They’re not like mad or anything like that.”

“The fans aren’t too aggressive most of the time,” Olivia Kuam said.

“The Jackrabbits travel really well,” Julie Mooney said. “We love coming and supporting our yellow and blue, and we’re pretty loud. When we’re here, we’re always enjoying ourselves so much.”

It’s the first time since the 2022 season opener that State visited an FBS team. One of the draws for fans was cheering on the Jackrabbits at Boone Pickens Stadium, which holds more than two and a half times as many spectators as Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

“Going to a bigger college,” said Steve Strom, Tucker Large’s uncle. “We have a nephew playing. So, we thought it’d be a very good experience, drive down and take it all in.”

“It’s so great to come to a larger conference school, and then the camaraderie that we have together as Jackrabbits is great,” Mooney said.

Road trips to big games have become somewhat common among Jackrabbit fans as they have cheered on SDSU in the FCS championship game three times in the last four seasons.

“It’s great,” Corey Reagel said. “It feels almost like the championship atmosphere in Frisco, a lot of Jackrabbit fans, a lot of blue and yellow down here. So, it’s great to see.”

Attending the games and tailgates provides those in attendance an opportunity to reconnect and form lasting friendships.

“You don’t get to see people unless you get out and come to these things,” Dave Cornemann said. “I’ve probably seen people that I haven’t seen since I graduated probably in 1985 That’s probably the best part: rekindling friendships that that you’ve had over the years.”

SDSU fell to Oklahoma State 44-20, which snapped the Jacks’ 29-game winning streak.

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