What a weekend it was in Brookings, South Dakota.

Hotels were sold out, downtown was painted blue and for the first time in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium’s history, there was a sellout crowd.

Even NFL punter turned sports personality Pat McAfee joined in on the fun with ESPN.

Needless to say, game day was electric.

Between having ESPN’s College GameDay on campus and hosting the bitter rivalry with North Dakota State, there were more than enough incentives for fans to attend.

But, we can all agree — that was pretty fun, right? So, why don’t we do that every home game?

The answer might be obvious.

No, College GameDay can’t come to Brookings every week. And, no, the perennial powerhouse NDSU Bison can’t make the trip down I-29 every week.

Yes, we are aware that Missouri Valley Football Conference matchups with teams not named North Dakota State or the University of South Dakota are significantly less attractive for fans.

But that doesn’t change the fact that this past weekend showed that people care.

Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium was plump-full with students who stayed throughout the whole game — something that rarely happens in the stadium.

We think that with that much hype for every home game, the football team could be willed to win nearly every game it plays in front of home fans.

Even though our football team fell short Saturday, it was an experience that most, if not all, Jackrabbit fans will remember for years to come.

It wasn’t just the football team that benefited from the hype.

According to a KDLT article, “The Brookings Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the entire College GameDay week had an economic impact of $1.5 million.”

Between the crowd, the economic impact and the showing of school spirit, it was an extremely successful game day weekend that, if repeated, would make SDSU game days feel like a Football Bowl Subdivision experience.

We, at The Collegian, hope for a great crowd again against Illinois State on Nov. 9, even though it will be a three-day weekend.

The Collegian Editorial Board meets weekly and agrees on the issue of the editorial. The editorial represents the opinion of The Collegian.