Buckeye fans were out bright and early Saturday morning to make sure they had the best tailgating spot for the season’s first home game.

Most of the tailgaters began setting up at 3am, and one of them had a very unique set up.

Matt Sutherland’s Buckeye tailgating experience began 15 years ago, and has only grown since then.

“It started in 2003 when I started law school here at Ohio State and basically continued in almost this exact spot ever since,” Sutherland said.

After years of setting up, he decided to make it more official. He even flipped an ambulance to make it the perfect tailgating vehicle, complete with a tent, chairs, TVs and, of course, food.

“It gets bigger and bigger every year,” Sutherland said. “We bought [the ambulance] from Wapakoneta, so actually some of the firemen come down one time a year and hang out.”

To Sutherland, the tailgating is more than just food and football: it’s about family and friends.

“You get to see friends that you don’t catch up with a lot through the year,” Sutherland said. “My grandfather is here, my father is here. It’s a great time to get together.”

Sutherland’s grandfather, Richard Creed, said tailgating is one of the best events of the year.

“Oh it’s another day in heaven. It’s just wonderful,” he said. “All these young people around, it makes me feel young.”

The family and friends are already looking forward to another home game next weekend and plan on setting up again starting at 3am.