Senior tight end Levi Gazarek has been part of the Falcon offense for four years and was even named team captain for the 2024 season.  

His name may not pop up or scream at you on the box score, as he’s more of a blocking tight end than receiving. 

But yesterday? 

The box score won’t justify how special his touchdown was. 

That was Gazarek’s first collegiate touchdown and the first time since his senior year of high school that he found the end zone. 

His teammates and coaches say it couldn’t have happened to a better player and person. 

“When I got here three years ago, he was one of the guys that took me in and made sure I was okay even though I wasn’t in his position group,” said senior cornerback Jordan Oladokun postgame. “That’s just the type of guy he is, and I know he’s super excited. I’m super excited for him, and he does everything right. So he deserved it.” 

As for head coach Scot Loeffler? 

It will be something he will never forget. 

“That was awesome. I love Levi, he and I have a really special relationship. I told him he was gonna be a captain when I recruited him,” said Loeffler. “He’s got a great family. He is a team dude, and you got a touchdown in one of the biggest games his senior year. I will never forget that.” 

Gazarek was just happy to finally be back in the end-zone with the ball again. 

“I’ll definitely never forget that. In a win like this, in a game like this, you know, I just wanna thank the Lord for giving me an opportunity. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in an end zone with the football,” said Gazarek “You know, doing it with guys that you love to come in and play with every day is everything.” 

Gazarek was also happy to be able to share this with coach Loeffler.

Everything they’ve been through from the start of the rebuild to now is what made yesterday’s touchdown feel that much more special. 

“It felt amazing being able to share this with him [Loeffler] and everything that we’ve gone through together, from the beginning here. It couldn’t have been any sweeter to go over and give him a big hug and share that moment with him.” 

It took four seasons for Gazarek to find the end zone, and whether he finds it again in this final month of the season, yesterday will be hard to beat for how special it truly was.