PROVO -- As Provo prepares to dissolve its boundaries for Saturday, officially becoming "Cougar Town" for the first of six games this season, BYU fans are gearing up for what is sure to be a fun-filled and exciting day as the Cougars take on No. 22 Boston College at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Game time at the newest municipal "seat of government" is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (MT).
With a significant walk-up crowd expected on Saturday, fans who have already purchased tickets, and are planning to pick them up at will-call on game day, should be prepared to stand in line.
TICKET UPDATE
The ticket office is reporting nearly 45,000 season tickets have been sold, and a crowd of over 55,000 is expected for the season-opener.
FIELD DESIGN
Fans coming to the game on Saturday will notice the Cougars' helmet decal has been painted in the center of the field.
"It's a symbol that represents tradition," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "To add incresed value to what we're returning to, the symbol will be in the middle of the field."
It is the first time since the start of the 2001 season--the BCA Classic vs. Tulane--that there has been a design painted on the center of the field.
RELIEF EFFORT
Fans coming to the game on Saturday will also have an opportunity to assist with the relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
BYU Athletics, BYU Dining Services and Swire Coca-Cola have teamed to help provide relief for the victims. For every two bottles of Dasani water sold in Edwards Stadium during Saturday's game, a bottle of water will be donated to the relief effort. Arrangements have been made for the Mobile, Alabama bottler to provide the water.
Organizers of the relief effort hope to sell enough water to send a semi-truck load of water--30,000 bottles--to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
TAILGATE
With all that is new with BYU football this year the pre-game tailgate party, west of the stadium has new features, a new look and a new name.
The Cougar Town Tailgate Party will take place prior to each home game with activities beginning two hours before kickoff.
Free to the public, the event will continue to include a live rock-and-roll band, sponsor booths with fun, fan activities, including the very popular Macey's Quarterback Challenge and KSL Newsradio 1160's live pre-game show, featuring former Cougars Marc Lyons, James Dye and NFL All-Pro tight end Chad Lewis.
New attractions this season include the new Legend's Corner, featuring two former BYU football players, life-size cut outs of BYU legends--which will provide photo opportunities--a climbing wall and football throw, provided by BYU's R.O.T.C., inflatable activities for children, street entertainers, the BYU marching band with the Cougarettes and BYU's Varsity Club will also make its home in Cougar Town Tailgate.
Tailgate goers will also be able to enjoy delicious food offerings, which will be available for purchase.
This Saturday, the Legend's Corner booth welcomes a pair of BYU's all-time greats. All-time leading rusher, Jamal Willis and the all-time leading receiver Eric Drage will be on hand to meet, sign autographs and interact with fans.
"The new Cougar Town Tailgate Party is bigger and better than ever, and is more focused on the fan than ever before," said BYU Athletic Marketing Director, Tony Jewkes. " We encourage fans to come early, beat the traffic and get ready for the game by enjoying our sponsor booths and all the other fun activities and features."
The Cougar Town Tailgate Party is located in the parking lot, west of LaVell Edwards Stadium and Canyon Road.
Sponsors at this Saturday's event include Maceys, Sprint, Enterprise Rent a Car, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., Carmax and the Cougar Club.