A fans’ guide to the home opener at Bobcat Stadium

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COMPILED by MERCURY STAFF

UPDATE: It might be too late to score tickets to the Texas State Bobcats’ sold-out season opener when they host the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, but fans can still show their school pride at the tailgate parties in Bobcat Alley before the game.

PREVIOUS: Interest in the Texas State football program is soaring as the Bobcats play their first home game as members of the FBS (formerly Division I). It’s not too late to attend Saturday’s home opener against Texas Tech. Here’s how to score last-minute tickets, where to enjoy pregame tailgate festivities and other must-know info.

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday on Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos

TV: ESPN3 Radio: ESPN Austin (1260 AM), KTSW (89.9 FM ), KZOS (92.5 FM), KLUP (930 AM)

Point spread: Texas State’s upset win over Houston last week did not sway the Las Vegas oddsmakers, who rate the Bobcats as 18.5 point underdogs against a more pedigreed Texas Tech squad.

Need to buy tickets on game day? 

Fans looking to buy tickets on game day can purchase them at one of four ticket windows at Bobcat Stadium. The windows will open five hours prior to kickoff, and cash and credit card are accepted. Click this map to find the ticket windows.

Are you picking up tickets you already purchased?

Will-Call windows also open five hours prior to kickoff at the stadium. But you can avoid some hassle if you purchase your tickets ahead of time online. Print out copies of your tickets and bring them straight to the entrance gates, where they’ll be scanned and you’ll be admitted to the game — bypassing all the less-savvy fans waiting in the Will-Call line.

Watch out for one-way traffic changes.

The city of San Marcos is anticipating road congestion around Bobcat Stadium on game day, so it’s converting a couple of major thoroughfares to one-way traffic. The city is also closing a handful of other streets.

• Charles Austin Drive will be one-way from Hopkins to Aquarena Springs Drive.
• Thorpe Lane will be converted to one-way from Aquarena Springs Drive (Loop 82) to Hopkins (State Highway 80) as needed.
• Southbound exit 206 at Aquarena Springs (Loop 82) is projected to be closed during day on Sept. 8 based on traffic conditions, with southbound game traffic directed from I-35 at exit 207 (River Ridge).
• Mill Street, Eastwood and West Street will be closed at Aquarena Springs Drive for traffic safety.

Are you driving in from out of town?

• From Austin/Dallas/Waco and the I-35 Corridor North: Follow I-35 South to San Marcos, take exit #206. Stay on the access road. Merge right onto Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82. You will pass one traffic light and Bobcat Stadium will be on your left. Follow the signs for game day parking.
• From San Antonio/Corpus Christi/Laredo and I-35 Corridor South: Follow I-35 North to San Marcos, take Exit #206 (Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82). Turn left on Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82 going under I-35 towards the University. You will pass two traffic lights and Bobcat Stadium will be on your left. Follow the signs for game day parking.
• From Houston/Galveston/Beaumont and I-10 Corridor East: Driving west on I-10, exit onto HWY 123 North. Stay on HWY 123 to San Marcos (approximately 22 miles). At I-35 turn right and go north on I-35 to Exit #206 (Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82). Turn left on Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82 going under I-35 towards the University. You will pass two traffic lights and Bobcat Stadium will be on your left. Follow the signs for game day parking.
• From El Paso/San Angelo/Midland and I-10 Corridor West: Travel East to I-35 and follow the directions from either I-35 North or South.

Where will you park?

Texas State officials say not to worry, to just show up and follow the signs to game day parking. If you just have to plan ahead, check out this interactive Game Day parking map.

Which tailgate party will have the most free stuff?

Bobcat Magazine, BobcatReport.com and Texas Roadhouse are teaming up to throw the most anticipated tailgate event on Bobcat Alley on Saturday. Free food and drinks from 11:30 a.m. until the 6 p.m. kickoff. It’s not a one-time thing, either. Texas Roadhouse is sponsoring BobcatReport.com and Bobcat Magazine’s tailgate parties before every home game this season. Click here for more info about tailgating at Texas State.

View Bobcat Alley in a larger map

RELATED IN THE MERCURY:

• Thorpe, Charles Austin to run one-way for Tech game | 08/24/2012
• ESPN Radio to broadcast Bobcat football games | 08/15/2012
• Bobcats face Idaho in first WAC game | 10/11/2012
• Updated: Whipping by Tech brings Bobcats back to earth (with photo gallery) | 09/09/2012
• Nevada next up for 2-1 Bobcats | 09/28/2012

Posted by Wes Ferguson on 09/07/2012. Filed under Football, Sports, Texas State University, Top Texas State. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.