"Today is a great day for a victory."
Place Kicker Gerry McGroarty couldn't have been more right as he spoke to The Spectrum during practice before the big game.
Homecoming Day 2007 was sponsored by GMAC Financial Services, as shown in force by the sea of UB students wearing blue GMAC T-shirts in hopes of being randomly picked for one of the contests of the event.
The homecoming game, which saw an attendance of 10,775 students and fans, disappointed the crowd weather-wise with rain that refused to let up until halftime.
Both Bulls and Ohio Bobcats fans were optimistic about the game.
"I feel like we might win this one," said senior Spanish and theater major Brandon Bryant, who was in attendance with the Thunder of the East marching band.
"We'd like to think that we'll win," echoed Ohio fan Mike Rielly.
Ohio University President Roderick McDavis, found attending the Ohio alumni "pre-game party" stuck in a corner behind the hotdog stand near concessions, wished the Bulls luck.
He went on to praise the campus.
"I think President Simpson is doing a great job, this is an excellent university," he said.
His wife, Deborah McDavis, said, "we're just looking for a good competitive game."
McDavis and the Bobcats got the competition they were looking for, but didn't see a very competitive game as told by the final score of 31-10.
The GMAC dressing contest was held during the first half, its prize of $1000 given to winner Amanda Major, who completed putting on a helmet, shoulder pads, gloves and a jersey before the other contestants.
"I am completely shocked," she said. "I would have never thought that I'd go to a football game and walk away with a thousand dollars." She added that she plans on putting the money towards buying a car.
Halftime was marked by sudden shining sun and a performance from the Thunder of the East. According to Bryant, who is a drum major in the band, the group is leaving Sunday to participate in the Columbus Day parade.
"It's fantastic. I've been in this band for four years and this is the first time we've done anything like this," he said.
The coronation of Homecoming King and Queen followed the performance. The Student Association executive board made brief speeches as well as President John Simpson, but the shouting of the crowd indicated a certain impatience to learn the results.
James Raymond and Laura Bacelli were announced as the winners and crowned with help from Jack Niejadlik and Latrece Seneca, last year's king and queen.
"It's amazing. To have a chance to be a part of something like this is amazing," Raymond said.
Seneca and Niejadlik both commented that the coronation was bittersweet.
"It's sad to give the crown away," Seneca said. "A year goes by so fast."
By the game's end, it was clear that the Bulls had dominated Homecoming.
"A much better team than last year," admitted Rielly. "It was a good clean game."
Fifteen-year-old Bobby McIntosh felt that the game was "just awesome," particularly the 72-yard run by running back James Starks.
"Oh man, that was great," he said.
As Bulls and Ohio fans filed out of the stadium at Homecoming's conclusion, Queen candidate Alison Merner reflected on the past week and the semester so far.
"Hopefully this is all just a preview of the enthusiasm and dedication we'll see from students this year."
