ANTHONY SHARKEY / ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Super Bowl LIX was between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. After becoming Champions of the AFC, the Chiefs set their sights on a record three consecutive Super Bowl wins, something that has never happened in the history of the NFL and has yet to come true. The Eagles, NFC Champions and an elite team in their own right, looked to spoil the party and add a second Super Bowl trophy to their cabinet. Philadelphia fans were confident most of the game and ultimately acquired the big win.

For many USD students, the Student Life Pavilion (SLP) was the place to be for watching Super Bowl LIX. On Sunday, Feb. 10, the SLP main cafeteria was decorated with red and green balloons, as well as party streamers along the walls. On the bottom floor, a projector screen broadcasting the big game allowed students to sit, eat and socialize with their friends. 

In the Frank’s lounge, more party streamers and a banner that read “touchdown” adorned the walls. Students in the lounge watched the Super Bowl on the big screens, either from comfortable chairs or the high seats at the tables. In the background were the taps of ping pong balls and the ricochets of the cue ball from the pool table. Some students even studied, occasionally looking up at the screen to take a peek at the game. 

Chief’s quarterback Patrick Mahomes pictured warming up before the game. Photo courtesy of @chiefs/Instagram

Student predictions for the Super Bowl suggested a close game. USD sophmore Brad Michael    gave his   score  prediction. 

“Chiefs 27, Eagles 24,” Michael stated.

Betting odds seemed to agree, with many online sources giving a slight edge to the Chiefs. Some attendants in the SLP foresaw an Eagles victory. Alejandro Llamas, a USD worker at the SLP, said that translated from Spanish that the Chiefs were his favorite, but thought that the Eagles would win. 

“The Eagles are gonna take it,” Llamas said. 

The opening plays for the Eagles and the Chiefs ended with punts, establishing the importance of the defense early on. On the Eagles’ second possession, defensive penalties from the Chiefs kept the drive alive, allowing for a big catch from Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dodson and a subsequent one yard run from Hurts to open the scoring. The following Chiefs drive ended with another punt, but on the Eagles’ next drive, Chiefs safety Bryan Cook intercepted at the two yard line. 

Throughout the first half, the tides did not turn. In the second quarter, after yet another Chiefs punt and an Eagles field goal, Patrick Mahomes threw an interception to rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean who returned the ball 38 yards for a touchdown, making 17 unanswered points. Late into the second quarter, Mahomes threw another interception to Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, who made a diving catch. The Chiefs turnover set up another Eagles touchdown, this time a tiptoe run from Chiefs wide receiver AJ Brown. At halftime, the Eagles led the Chiefs 24 to 0. 

The highly anticipated Super Bowl Halftime Show arrived, with rapper Kendrick Lamar performing. USD first-year Jacob Alexander didn’t have a hourse in the race, but enjoyed the football and the spectacle. 

“I enjoy watching the Super Bowl each year,” Alexander said. “The halftime   show is  an essential part of the game… They always give us a great performance.” 

Alexander also added that he hoped Kendrick Lamar would play the song “Not Like Us.” Lamar’s diss track on Drake won five Grammys earlier this month. So, it came as no surprise when the SLP cafeteria sang along to the iconic “A Minor” line. Lamar also performed songs from his new album, GNX, including “luther” with co-performer SZA. 

After halftime, the game started up once more, with the Eagles looking to maintain their lead and the Chiefs looking to bounce back. Although penalties, dropped passes and interceptions cost the Chiefs some points, it was the Eagles defensive line who undoubtedly changed the game, sacking Mahomes a record six times. A poised Jalen Hurts, LIX Super Bowl MVP winner, threw a 46 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeVonta Smith, making it 34 unanswered points. 

Much of the talk surrounding the Chiefs has to do with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s relationship, but that’s not the only reason someone might be a fan of the team. 

“There’s a perspective about Chiefs fans, especially women, that are just fans of players who are dating,” USD junior Olivia Fillippi said. “They forget about the families. My parents grew up in Kansas City, so that gave me a team to root for.” 

Toward the end of the game, the Chiefs rallied back with two long passes from Mahomes to wide receiver Xavier Worthy  —  one to get them past midfield for the first time, and another to score their first touchdown of the game. Despite the effort, the Eagles put the nail in the coffin with a strip sack by defensive tackle Milton Williams. Late into the fourth quarter, the Chiefs scored on two possessions to cut the lead to only 18 points, making the final score 40 to 22.

Although not the closest of games, Super Bowl LIX had plenty to offer. Beyond the football itself, the event brought people together. The SLP cafeteria and game room are great places for USD students to socialize, just be sure to thank the staff.

MVP Jalen Hurts hugging Eagles coach, Nick Sirianni after the win. Photo courtesy of  @philadelphiaeagles/Instagram