This is probably the hardest loss in sports that I have ever experienced.

I can't remember a day when my family wasn't cheering on the Dawgs in some sort of way, whether it be football, basketball, gymnastics; you name it, we have cheered them on.

Watching this season, hearing the announcers praise our team for our true freshman players, yet still doubting the power that we had, we defied the odds every week when they favored other teams over us. For the first time in 74 years, they made it back to the Rose Bowl and showed the world that the Dawgs meant business. It may have gone into overtime, but in the end, the Dawgs came out on top.

This game, they started with such grace and athleticism, but in the end, it just wasn't enough. They played every play with so much heart and when Bama made the final touchdown, you felt the hearts break both on and off of the field.

All that being said, I will never give up on my boys. This loss just means they will train harder, fight harder, and come back with the drive to make it back next year and win it. They will make sure that they are ready for the next play. The season may have ended today, but the game still goes on tomorrow.

To the boys, thank you for giving us an amazing season. You made every single minute worth it, even when you made them nail-biters.

To the coaches, thank you for being there for the boys. You made sure they were at practice every day, running every play like it was on the field. Making them work for what they had because nobody was just going to give them the win.

To the families, thank you for letting the boys follow their dreams. For allowing them to play in one of the most dangerous sports. Without you, their support systems, we would have never made it to this game.

And finally, to the fans, thank you for being there. If it wasn't for you, the stadium would be empty and they would have nobody to play for. Without you, the boys would have never made it this far, you are their extended support system. Without you, this game would mean nothing.

So, here is to next year. To working harder. To playing harder. To dreaming bigger. To playing better. To being a Dawg. Until then, GOOOO DAWGS!!!