SEATTLE — A sold-out crowd cheered on the University of Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium Saturday afternoon, as they took on the University of Michigan for a rematch of the national championship game.
Excitement building as a new Big 10 rivalry emerges at Husky Stadium on Saturday.
Fans said it has felt like it’s taken forever to finally get to this match-up. But fans are drinking it up and soaking it in.
"When you tailgate, it's all or nothing, it's all or nothing," said Captain Husky.
This is also the first time UW has faced the University of Michigan since Husky Nation had their hearts broken by Big Blue at the big game earlier this year.
"This is the rematch from the national championship. So, we got to be here for it and hopefully cheer our Dawgs on and win. And redeem ourselves a little bit here,” said Stacie Hart.
Although it's not the National Championship this time around. Fans wouldn't miss this game for anything.
"I've only missed one home game so far. And I’ve the only home game I missed, I was in the hospital over there,” said one Husky fan. “But every single other home game for the past two years, I've been here."
Here to share their everlasting love for the Huskies. "I met my fiancé here, I love the Dawgs, just born and bred Husky here," said Ally Witeck, who was celebrating her bachelorette party at the pre-game tailgate.
But for others, they're still searching for what they came for.
"We're looking for a tailgate for Michigan and we can't find it, but it's nothing but Washington tents and everything," said David Elmblad, a longtime Michigan fan.
"My dad's a Michigan fan, my mom's a Washington fan, I'm not sure who to root for," said one little boy wearing a UW/Michigan shirt.
For these fans, it's clear what this team means to them. "You know what this is what freedom is all about, college football bringing people together," said Sergeant Husky.
By the end of the night, Husky fans were rejoicing after UW defeated Michigan 27 - 17.