Four years ago, Rutgers drew just 28,101 fans to its annual Homecoming game against key Big East rival and one-time national power Pittsburgh.
This year?
This year, it almost seemed like there were 28,101 fans at pregame festivities and tailgates alone.
This year, "Ray Rice for Heisman" trucker hats flew off the rack for $5, while the brothers of Zeta Psi donned T-shirts that read "there's Nor-folkin' way you can tackle Ray."
This year, from Scarlet Square to the Blue Lot, a crowd of 43,712 students and alumni littered the campus with school spirit with pregame ceremonies, then packed the seats to see the football team's 59-0 blowout win against Norfolk State. The game marked Rutgers' fifth-consecutive sellout, dating back to last year's game against Louisville.
"So many people are actually going to the game now [that] there is a renewed interest," said Lawanda Irving, the director of New Student Programs. "There's actually a fight for tickets."
But even those who didn't win that fight had their fair share of activities to participate in.
The University invited alumni and students alike to "Ride the Scarlet Tide" at a shore-themed festival near the stadium prior to kickoff.
There were free giveaways, free food, homecoming paraphernalia, live entertainment and countless tailgates among alumni, fraternities, sororities and friends. The band Screaming Broccoli and the Rutgers Glee Club provided live music, while the Rutgers dance and cheer teams and the Rutgers Alumni Band all performed.
Irving, who has been with the University for seven and a half years, was in attendance Saturday and has seen a notable change in spirit within the past two years.
"I think there has been a great surge in activity, particularly from the students," she said.
Those that did make the game saw a show of their own.
Rice is considered a candidate the Heisman Trophy - given annually to college football's most outstanding player - rushed for three touchdowns to help seal the victory.
For more recent alumni, it was a stark contrast to seasons as late as 2002, when the team won only one game. That sweeping change isn't lost on current students, either.
"It's different being here last year and I'm sure it was different being here years ago, but we were here for the first really good season," said Anthony Xerri, a Rutgers College sophomore.
Although the recent success from the football team has caused more students to come out to the games, Irving said Homecoming has always been about school pride and the chance to celebrate the school.
"Rutgers students always had a sense of pride in being here," she said. " I think football just enhances that. I don't think it's everything for everyone, but it's a niche that people really enjoy."
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