Kirk Cousins opened his Las Vegas tenure with three touchdown passes in a 27-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, while a 72-year-old Raiders fan watched from the 300 level wearing his No. 8 jersey. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Terri Polley of Salem, Oregon, taped six Cousins photos to a glass partition and raised a homemade “you like that” sign after Raiders touchdowns during her first game at Allegiant Stadium.
The game was also an early birthday celebration for Polley, who turns 72 on September 25. Her daughter and son-in-law gave her the tickets, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. She attended with her son-in-law and made the sign herself, incorporating two photos of Cousins.
Polley told the paper that she has followed the Raiders for years and had tracked Cousins since he entered the NFL draft, but became especially invested in him after he joined Las Vegas in 2026. She described him as her favorite player and said she wanted Raider Nation to respect him. “He's awesome,” Polley said.
A Slogan Fifteen Years in the Making
The “you like that” phrase on Polley's sign traces back over a decade before Cousins ever put on silver and black. He originated the line during a tunnel outburst after Washington's 31-30 comeback win over Tampa Bay on October 25, 2015, a game in which he erased a 24-point deficit, according to Wikipedia. The moment turned into a lasting piece of his public persona, one that Polley chose to revive in the stands during his Raiders debut.
What Allegiant Stadium Rules and Public Financing Mean
Allegiant Stadium’s A-Z Guide says flags and signs are permitted during events if they meet the venue’s stated conditions. The Las Vegas Raiders’ Guest Code of Conduct separately prohibits conduct that unreasonably obstructs other guests’ views, according to the Allegiant Stadium A-Z Guide and the Raiders’ Guest Code of Conduct. Those provisions govern fan-made signs and displays such as Polley’s photos and message.
The venue also operates within a public financing structure. A Nevada Legislature exhibit identifies the Las Vegas Stadium Authority Board as a public body subject to state open-meeting law and other laws governing public agencies, while Nevada legislative minutes show that the authority’s 2026 budget included $38.3 million in bond payments.
That debut carried its own historical weight. Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns as Las Vegas beat Miami 27-13 to open the 2026 season, according to ESPN. One of those scores was his 300th career passing touchdown, making him the 15th quarterback in NFL history to reach 300 and pushing him past Hall of Famer John Elway into 14th place on the all-time list, as reported by FOX Sports.
First Raiders QB to Throw Three Opening-Day Touchdowns Since 2005
Cousins also became the first Raiders quarterback to throw three touchdown passes in a season opener since Kerry Collins accomplished the feat against New England in 2005, according to FOX Sports. Two of his three touchdown passes went to rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who rushed for 102 yards in his return from an August 23 ankle injury, the outlet noted. Jeanty was the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Boise State.
The offensive showing marked a sharp turnaround for a Raiders unit that finished last in the NFL in 2025, averaging just 245.2 yards and 14.2 points per game. Las Vegas piled up 290 total offensive yards in the opener under new head coach Klint Kubiak, according to NFL.com.
A Bridge Quarterback With an Unusual Contract
Cousins arrived in Las Vegas after the Raiders acquired him from Atlanta. The available account does not detail the terms of his contract or his compensation for 2026 or 2027.
Las Vegas brought in Cousins to serve as a bridge starter while rookie Fernando Mendoza, a top draft pick, continues to develop behind him. Cousins is a 15-year NFL veteran.
Inside the venue, Polley's display was a personal tribute to a player she has tracked since his draft day, now finally sharing a stadium with her on his new team's opening Sunday.
