It turned out to be two of our proudest moments.

Never have we felt prouder to watch our two teams battle for victory – dominating and then being dominated, winning and then losing just to turn it around again for a victory – than on Saturday.

Saluki athletics wore their hearts on their sleeves, working their hardest and giving themselves, this University, this city and region something to be proud of. And we are.

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Nothing can replace the intensity and emotion of the fans as hundreds raced down McAndrew Stadium bleachers, hopping the wall and flooding onto the field to celebrate with the football players just seconds after Brandon Robinson caught the game winning pass to knock nationally ranked Western Illinois University from the first place conference seat.

And later that same day, the volleyball team battled Bradley University for a big victory, taking them to five games before knocking them out of their No. 1 conference seat.

Two games, two huge victories for Saluki athletics. The victories are so much sweeter, not because both were the underdog, not because both teams dethroned the two conference leading teams, not because it improved their records, but because they believed in themselves and never gave up.

Too often in athletics, one major call or play upsets the whole chemistry of the game. But not Saturday.

With about a minute and 36 seconds left in the football game, the Salukis were dealt a massive penalty that resulted in a Leatherneck touchdown in the subsequent plays. Instead of sticking their tails between their legs and mentally slinking off to the locker room, the Dawgs fired back. They moved right back down the field and were in prime scoring position with nine seconds left. They had time for two plays and used them both, holding their ground and adding a historic and proud chapter in the book of Saluki football.

The volleyball team battled with Bradley, trading the lead over and over, but ending up with the first match victory, 37-35, after 10 game point scenarios. They went on to win the second match but dropped the next two before taking the win in the fifth. They scrapped, they spiked, they dug, and they kept fans on the edge of their seats until the last second.

Senior outside hitter Kristie Kemner set the single game kill attempt record with 70. And despite the loss Friday against Northwestern, Kemner also set the all-time career dig record. Junior running back Muhammad Abdulqaadir set the back-to-back record for rushing yards.

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Both teams have thus far triumphed over their poor pre-season conference rankings, with the football team currently tied for first place with Illinois State and the volleyball team holding the No. 4 position after these latest wins.

This weekend’s Homecoming victories by Saluki football and volleyball were a true testament to hard work paying off, and we would like congratulate both teams and thank you for making this a Homecoming to remember.