Gophers fans flooded into Huntington Bank Stadium, most donning maroon attire in preparation for Minnesota’s annual battle for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy Sept. 21. 

Saturday’s game was extra special because of the Gophers’ rivalry with the Iowa Hawkeyes, which dates back to 1891. The crowd was larger and rowdier than their first three games this season. 

Despite this being the Gophers’ fourth consecutive home game, University of Minnesota senior Andrew Trudeau said it was one of the most packed games he has seen. 

“There’s a two-block line just outside of the bar and the game hasn’t even started,” Trudeau said. “The atmosphere is crazy.” 

Trudeau echoed senior Margaret Poulos when she said the best part of game day is being with her friends outside the classroom.

“Everyone’s just in good vibes and hoping for the Gophers to win,” Poulos said. 

Away from all the madness amongst fans, the University’s spirit squad and marching band are working to elevate the level of school spirit closer to the stadium.

Tanner Rivard, a junior on the spirit squad, said regardless of the Gophers’ opponent, their job remains the same. 

“It’s so much fun being on the sidelines and being able to interact with everybody,” Rivard said. “We amplify the crowd the most usually on third downs.” 

Rivard said he grew up playing football in high school, so his experience with the spirit squad is unique and football remains his favorite part of the cheer season.

Before the game, the cheer team is joined by the band and dance team as they parade around the stadium, greet fans and create school spirit.

Fourth-year mellophone player for the University’s marching band Emma Hartman said game day is not the same without the band. 

“I think the players and fans can count on us to be there with the school spirit, even when things aren’t going so well,” Hartman said. “We always play the Alma Mater at the end of the game, win or lose, and P.J. Fleck expects the players to stay there for that which I think is really great.” 

Beyond the game itself, University students create memories from their game day rituals whether at pregames, tailgates or post-games. 

Hartman said her favorite game day experience was a halftime show from last year’s football season. 

“It was the 50th year of women being allowed in the band and we played Beyoncé and a whole bunch of other songs, it was just so special to be a part of,” Hartman said. 

Other students, like Poulos, loved the pregame practices of game days, like going to the fraternities, walking by the tailgates and any interactions she had with Goldy. 

“At the frats, you can really feel that game day energy,” Poulos said. “I’ve actually seen Goldy on the streets a few times on game day too. He’s always taking pictures and just interacting with the fans.” 

The next opportunity for Gophers fans to experience the maroon and gold sights of a Gophers game at Huntington is Oct. 5 against Southern California. It will be the first time the team plays one of the newly added Big Ten schools.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the beginning of the Gopher-Hawkeye rivalry as 1981. It was 1891.