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Homecoming (of sorts) for Mauch
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Having grown up and played college football in North Dakota, the game was something of a homecoming for right guard Cody Mauch. Which was just one more thing bouncing around his head as the second-round draft pick made his first NFL start at a venue, U.S. Bank Stadium, that is vexing even for veterans.
"I was relaxed but nervous, if that makes sense" Mauch said. "I was ready to go, kind of locked in. But it's still your first NFL start, and you know it's going to be a loud, good atmosphere. So I was maybe a little bit nervous, but after the first play the nerves go away."
Mauch knew a bunch of his fans were sitting in Section 310 wearing his old school colors and wanted to acknowledge them but admitted nerves got the best of him. "I tried right when I got out there" he said, "but then I kind of forgot about it."
'Skol' chant excites Bucs
U.S. Bank Stadium is one of the loudest in the NFL, and Vikings fans have taken pride in the deafening "Skol" chant during key defensive downs. Despite the noise, the Bucs did not have any pre-snap penalties on offense.
"I love playing here, for sure" linebacker Shaquil Barrett said. "I love going in opposing stadiums and hearing the crowd as loud as their crowd was."
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr.'s dad played for the Vikings. He said the whole family was at the game. "Once I saw the schedule and saw we open up up here in Minnesota, I said, 'Oh, boy, we're ready to rock and roll,'" Winfield said. "Every game I've got that same mindset, but especially this game."
, The Tampa Bay Times, published 11 September 2023
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