With bragging rights on the line, student football tickets are expected to fly out the door for the much-anticipated, nationally televised (ESPN2) Saturday, Sept. 18, matchup between WVU and Maryland.

Heres what students need to know about online ticketing for this game:

• Online ticketing begins at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Note the following schedule:

Request Period

Sunday, Sept. 12, 12:01 a.m.-Monday, Sept. 13, 11:59 p.m.

Claim Period

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 3:01 a.m.-Wednesday, Sept. 15, 11:59 p.m.

(Students awarded tickets must claim their tickets during this time period.)

On-Demand Period

Thursday, Sept. 16, 12:01 a.m.-Saturday, Sept. 18, noon

(If any awarded tickets are unclaimed, they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis during this period. If all tickets are claimed, no tickets will be available during this period.)

• Log ontowww.wvugame.comand click on theget ticketslink to request tickets.

• Registration is NOT done on a first-come, first-served basis. However, students must make their requests during the initial two-day registration period if they want to be considered if the system goes into Loyalty Distribution.

• Students who have not paid their athletic fees by today (Friday) will not be eligible to request tickets.

• Mountaineer Maniacs are reminded to register for tickets during this period or else their unclaimed tickets will be released to the general student body.

• Maniac tickets released to the general student body will still read Maniac.

• Sitting in the Senior Spirit Section 121 is a privilege. Seniors and graduate/professional students are encouraged to select this option.

• Make arrangements to sit with your friends before you register for tickets. By requesting the same section, you are not guaranteed seats in the same area, but it increases your chances.

• REMEMBER : If the demand for student tickets exceeds the supply, then loyalty-based lottery distribution will go into effect.

• Gates open at 10:30 a.m., 1hours before the game. Have your Mountaineer (ID) Card and ticket ready before you get to the gates to gain admission. This will get you in your seats more quickly.

• NOTE : Print tickets with black ink. Bring your entire ticket with you to the game. Scanners will not be able to read tickets with only partial names and bar codes.

• Dont alter tickets; this may result in disciplinary action including loss of athletic privileges.

• Wristbands will be distributed to students as their tickets are scanned. These are required for students sitting in the Lower Deck and Senior Spirit Section 121.

• Enter student gates on the east side of stadium; left-hand gates for section 121 and lower deck; right-hand gates for upper deck and Maniacs. There will be signs posted.

• Once inside the stadium, dont block aisles, entranceways and railing areas. Students who dont follow the rules will be asked to move or leave the game.

• Students sitting with parents in the student section may enter any gate. REMEMBER : If your parent already purchased your ticket, you cant go online to register for one.

• Tailgate with friends at theNew Piton Oakland Street near the Ronald McDonald House, but try to get to the student gates early to avoid long lines. Free food and soft drinks are available at the Pit. A limited number of vehicle permits may be purchased from Student Organizations Services. Walk-ins are welcome.

• Remember to celebrate responsibly. (Illegal burning, unlawful or destructive behavior such as rushing the playing field will result in disciplinary action, including loss of athletic privileges and possible expulsion).

Rusty Secrist, the executive director of the Mountaineer Maniacs, has been working with Student Affairs and the Athletics Department to make improvements to the online system.

Some questions people have been asking are about the old standing-room only section for students,he said.This was going to be eliminated, regardless of whether the online system was implemented, because of safety concerns and overcrowding.

More than 8,000 students went online and requested tickets during the first registration period for the East Carolina game,he noted.This shows that the system is working. In fact, it was endorsed by the Maniacs and SGA . Talk to most upperclassmen and they would tell you that getting a ticket online is better than having to camp out at theLair for hours.

Secrist said with any change, there comes a transition period in which students have to adjust. He wants students to know that student leaders, Student Affairs and Athletics officials are open to suggestions for improvement so that the kinks will be worked out. He said administrators have already made several changes that students have requested that will make the online system easier to use.

Students are lucky at WVU ,he added.At many schools, students still pay for their tickets as well as an athletic fee. At WVU , tickets are free, but when they are gone, they are gone. With last years defeat to the Terps, players and fans are ready for a rematch. I encourage students to register for tickets Sunday or Monday. Students should know that if they cant make it to the game, they can bring their friends to the game-watching party at theLair. The party gets under way at 11 a.m. There will be televisions set up in the ballrooms, Games Area and Side Pocket Pub. Free popcorn and soft drinks will be provided, and other food will be available for purchase in the Food Court.