![University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Southern Utah](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/8d/08d7b532-b985-11e8-8b95-ff2063bc891a/5b9e0b067a213.image.jpg?resize=200%2C94 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/8d/08d7b532-b985-11e8-8b95-ff2063bc891a/5b9e0b067a213.image.jpg?resize=300%2C140 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/8d/08d7b532-b985-11e8-8b95-ff2063bc891a/5b9e0b067a213.image.jpg?resize=400%2C187 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/8d/08d7b532-b985-11e8-8b95-ff2063bc891a/5b9e0b067a213.image.jpg?resize=540%2C253 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/8d/08d7b532-b985-11e8-8b95-ff2063bc891a/5b9e0b067a213.image.jpg?resize=750%2C351 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/8d/08d7b532-b985-11e8-8b95-ff2063bc891a/5b9e0b067a213.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C562 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/8d/08d7b532-b985-11e8-8b95-ff2063bc891a/5b9e0b067a213.image.jpg?resize=1700%2C796 1700w)
Rhett Rodriguez gets to throw, taking the field in the fourth quarter against Southern Utah and serving as Khalil Tate's backup quarterback.
Three of my favorite smells in the world are fresh cooked bacon, the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ desert after it rains, and victory after a football beatdown.
I got all three this past week. After 20-plus years of cheering on my husband Chuck as professional player, NFL defensive coordinator now college analyst, I am known for being a little, well, intense during the games. Our surrogate parents, Burt and Nancy Kinerk, keep me tucked alongside of them at game time; they understand it’s more than just a football game to all of us.
![Chuck Cecil, Burt Kinerk and Nancy Kinerk together](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/70/c70e91f0-bbc5-11e8-a2c8-b7db982477c4/5ba180bb799dc.image.jpg?resize=200%2C150 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/70/c70e91f0-bbc5-11e8-a2c8-b7db982477c4/5ba180bb799dc.image.jpg?resize=300%2C225 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/70/c70e91f0-bbc5-11e8-a2c8-b7db982477c4/5ba180bb799dc.image.jpg?resize=400%2C300 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/70/c70e91f0-bbc5-11e8-a2c8-b7db982477c4/5ba180bb799dc.image.jpg?resize=540%2C405 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/70/c70e91f0-bbc5-11e8-a2c8-b7db982477c4/5ba180bb799dc.image.jpg?resize=604%2C453 750w)
Chuck Cecil, Burt Kinerk and Nancy Kinerk
Between plays, I visit with Wildcat supporters inside the Sands Club at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium. They are a gaggle of blue and red devotees that range from those who attended U of A long before Chuck and me and those who watched Chuck play to second-and-third-generation alumni or passionate Cat enthusiasts like my friends Mike and Karen Fisher, who have made ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ their home and the Wildcats their team. It’s such a blessing to share a good yarn, be a part of their extended family and the true ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ tradition.
Speaking of the Sands Club, I ran into Rich and Rita Rodriguez, who were cheering on the Cats at the game as their son, Rhett, plays quarterback behind Khalil Tate, and their daughter, Raquel is now an intern with the local site. I’ve seen them before in the stands but wanted to respect their privacy. It's heartwarming: Even after parting ways with the team, the duo is like any good mom or dad who puts their politics or emotions aside to simply show up and do the right thing by supporting their kiddos.