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Last updated 5:08 am CT February 09, 2010.

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Last Tailgate at the Mac

CARBONDALE-- It's been the home of the football Salukis for 73 years, but the Dawgs played their final regular season game at McAndrew Stadium Saturday as many fans celebrate and remember the end of an era.

SIU Alum Barry Ancell said, "My best time was in 1983. I mean to me winning a national championship is the best of times."

While Saluki Fan Jim Zimmers remembers his favorite memories, "The one favorite memory I have is whenever I was a kid and SIU beat Tulsa 16 to 13."

Alum Rex Emery said, "Watching just a lot of great football at the MAC has always just been real special."

And Jerry Bechtel said, "Made a lot of good friends over the past 10 to 15 years. Players keep coming back to enjoy the games and we enjoy visiting with 'em. He made such a good friendships over the years that it keep and bringing us back."

Not only memorials will be left behind when the McAndrew stadium gets torn down, but so will the atmosphere.

Rex Emery said, "The atmosphere everybody has a good time. I've been coming here over 30 years and we have fun. The kids have a great time."

Barry Ancell hopes the change will be for the better said, "Guess this stadium has had it. It's in pretty poor shape and hopefully the new one will bring out people."

SIU Jerry Bechtel said, "It will be a real blessing to southern Illinois to have a stadium like that. I hope we can pack it every game."

Rex Emery said, "We're gonna miss the old place but we are sure looking forward to the new place too.

Barry Ancell said, "It's kinda great to be apart of history. You know look back maybe 20 years from now we'll be talking about the new stadium and some great things going on."

Rex Emery said, "It's just been a great atmosphere there and you know have had a lot of special games, a lot of special people play there over the years. It's just gonna be something we are gonna miss"

bgeier@wsiltv.com

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