The constant downpour of rain didn’t stop the OU Sooners from winning against Idaho State Saturday, 64-0, nor did it prevent some OU students from enjoying their first live OU football game.

“Even though it was raining at this game, it seemed more intense than any other college football game I have been to,” said Simone Saldanha, University College freshman.

Saldanha said it was really great to be a part of the crowd and the school spirit.

“The excitement was catching,” University College freshman Amanda Niedzwiecki said. “The school spirit here is absolutely amazing.”

Niedzwiecki said the rain made the game more interesting as the crowd cheered despite it.

“It was enough excitement to make me want to get season tickets next year,” she said.

OU’s incoming class of National Merit Scholars, including Saldanha and Niedzwiecki, was honored before the football game, which allowed Saldanha and Niedzwiecki to attend the game for free.

“I’ve never seen people crazy about football,” said Boram Kim, exchange student from South Korea, about Saturday’s game.

Kim said soccer is very popular in her country, but it isn’t as crazy as football at OU.

“Every time we scored, my friends and I crowded around each other and high-fived each other and [were] yelling OU chants,” she said.

Kim said she doesn’t really understand the rules of football yet, but had some help from a friend Saturday at the game and said she feels she is getting used to the game now.

“I didn’t understand the game at first, but one of my friends helped explain it to me,” said Emma Gale, an exchange student from England. “My friend had watched the Super Bowl on television in the U.K. before.”

Gale said she most enjoyed the Pride of Oklahoma as they performed at half time.

“I’m a musical person, so I really liked the music they played,” Gale said.

Aside from the Pride, Gale said she really enjoyed the atmosphere of the game because it was exciting, and the people seemed really happy.

“I left at halftime though,” she said. “We were going to stay for the whole thing, but we were too soaked.”

“The atmosphere was great,” said Andrew Ligon, University College freshman. “Everyone was excited more so than high school games.”

Ligon said he had never been to an OU football game before.

“I was excited about being at the game,” he said. “It’s so different being there at the game than just watching it on television.”

Although not new to OU, Travis Bullard, science education junior, attended his very first OU football game Saturday.

“I haven’t really had any interest in football until last year,” Bullard said. “Watching the games on television last year made me really fall in love with OU football.”

Bullard said he decided to buy season tickets this year and said his first game was an amazing experience.

“Even though it was raining, the crowd was excited and really into the game,” Bullard said. “I didn’t even notice I was soaking wet from the rain the first quarter.”

Bullard said he didn’t have any doubts about this game despite last week’s loss last week. He said he knew OU would come back stronger this week.

“Gotta love the ‘stache,” Bullard said, referencing OU quarterback Landry Jones’ facial hair.