Cougar football season serves as a welcome back to students and alumni alike, from every last bratwurst sizzling on the Foreman Grill to all the Bud Light sitting in the cooler.

Cougar faithful: it is without a doubt tailgating season.  

The football team’s impressive win over the Trojans brought students and alumni back to Pullman excited and ready to express their school spirit.  

Pickup trucks, canopies, and all the crimson a university could ask for flooded the parking lot across from the newly renovated Martin Stadium to enjoy the pregame festivities.

Amongst the sea of Cougs was freshman business major Drew Harms. He rallied around Martin Stadium last Saturday to prepare for the team’s 48 – 10 win over the Southern Utah University Thunderbirds.

“It being my first Cougs game and all I thought was ‘why not enjoy it right and hit up a tailgater?’” Harms said.  “The suns out and it’s Cougar Saturday – doesn’t get much better than this.”

With a hot dog fresh off the grill in his right hand and Toby Keith playing out of the maroon Hummer in the distance, who could argue? 

“I think it’s cool how everyone showed up today. I didn’t expect to see all my buddies here, but I guess they’re here so let’s get it,” Harms said.

There’s nothing like the first time, and for Harms, he looks forward to having that tailgating experience a second time.  

“I mean this is great. I’ve never really been to a tailgate before, but if all of them are like this, then oh yeah I’m coming back,” Harms Said.

Richard Stepp, 1984 WSU alumnus, reminisced on his fond memories of Pullman football.

“It seems like yesterday I was in these kids’ shoes,” said Stepp. “I’m just happy to see not too much has changed since I went here and Cougs are still being Cougs.”

It didn’t take much for the Cougar alumnus to get back into the swing of things and dust off some of his old college memories.

“I used to love coming down here to throw the football right before the game started. The snow would sometimes make it that much better, but I’m grateful for the sun too,” he said.

Win or lose, count on Cougar fans, students and alumni to park their RV’s, set up camp, and cheer on their team at a good ol’ fashioned tailgater.