'It's like a family': Utah fans celebrate return of football for Utes home opener

SALT LAKE CITY — Hours before kickoff, the grills were already going, games were being played and plenty of red could be seen across the University of Utah campus.

For Utes fans, the first home football game of the season is about much more than what happens inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"It's like a family, going to the games," said Natalie Russon, who came from Woods Cross for the home opener. "There is just nothing like it."

Family was a word heard often Thursday as tailgaters gathered around campus, many of them returning to the same spots and traditions they have enjoyed for years.

The Carlson family has been tailgating at Utah football games for decades, with some family members saying they have been doing it for more than 30 years.

Now, the tradition is being passed along to the grandchildren.

And ever since the final game of last season, they have been waiting for football to return.

"Football is back. Finally," said Tina Carlson of Roy. "Because there's nothing on TV. There's nothing. You get tired of golfing, you get tired watching golf. It's just after so many years, I mean, we look forward to it. It's just our life."

Some tailgaters don't even have tickets to the game. Instead, they bring televisions and watch from their tailgate spots outside the stadium, where the food, games and time spent with friends and family are as much a part of game day as football itself.

The excitement wasn't limited to just tailgating.

The University of Utah Campus Store was packed throughout the day with fans looking for the latest Utes shirts, hats and other gear.

A store manager said the first home football game is one of its two biggest sales days of the year, along with homecoming.

For students, the home opener also comes just a couple of weeks into the fall semester, when many are still getting to know one another.

"I think it's just the energy," said Bridget Miller with the University of Utah Campus Store. "I always like to say there's such a vibe being on campus and students coming back, and then obviously we're ready for a great football season. We have a new coach, and we are excited to see what they can do."

There was another reason to celebrate Thursday. Swoop, the University of Utah's popular red-tailed hawk mascot, turned 30.

Fans stopped by a birthday celebration at the Campus Store to pose for pictures with Swoop and flash the familiar U sign.

Thirty years old means Swoop certainly isn't a redshirt freshman anymore, but the mascot remains one of the most recognizable parts of Utah game day.

By late afternoon, the tailgate lots were filling up, and excitement continued to build around Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Even though the game hadn't even started yet, for plenty of Utah fans, game day festivities already had.

"It's great for everyone to get together," said Carslon. "That's a big part of it. Just get away from everything else is going on in the world on have a good time and relax."

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