With a No. 7 national ranking, a strong regional rivalry, a sellout crowd and Fall Family Weekend excitement, Saturdays nationally televised West Virginia University-Maryland game is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of the season.

Regardless of whether there was Fall Family Weekend, this would have been a sellout,said Ken Gray, vice president for Student Affairs.Because of the early success of the team and their national ranking, this game has become extremely popular. Every sectionstudent, parent, general admission, premier ticketing, boxes, season ticket holders, walk-upshas sold out.

Some are comparing the Maryland game to the `backyard brawl,Gray said.WVU-Maryland tickets are selling for hundreds of dollars on eBay. In the past, at times, weve worked to fill the stadium. We look at the sellout as a good problem, a result of our success, and we ask fans for their patience as we celebrate a great team and a great season.

For students and fans who cant make it to the game, other options are available.

Students can bring their friends to the game-watching party at the Mountainair,

said Rusty Secrist, executive director of the Mountaineer Maniacs.The event gets under way at 11 a.m.; kickoff is at noon. There will be televisions set up in the ballrooms, Games Area and Side Pocket Pub. Free snacks and soft drinks will be provided for students and guests.

Kickoff at Milan Puskar Stadium is set for noon with the game being televised live on ESPN2 . Live coverage of the game can also be heard on the Mountaineer Sports Network. To find out where to tune in, log onto the MSN Web site athttp://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?section=1104for a list of football radio affiliates.

With a packed house at Milan Puskar Stadium, Chief of Police Bob Roberts encourages everyone to make safety a priority.

Were looking out for the safety of fans,he said.If you see something awry, avoid it and alert an officer. We will have officers in and around the stadium for the extra security and protection of our fans and to offer aid to people who may need assistance. The bottom line is were there to make sure all fans have a safe place to celebrate.

Additional local and state police officials will also be on hand to provide added security and traffic control, Roberts noted.

This is an extraordinary moment for WVU ,Gray said.Whether youre part of the crowd at the stadium or watching it on television with your friends, this is a moment to celebrate.

He added,The success were experiencing in footballsellouts at both East Carolina and at Marylandis becoming a reality as our program moves forward, and is something Top 10 successful teams have been experiencing for years.

Students are reminded to bring the entire ticket plus Mountaineer (ID) Card to the student gates on the east side of the stadium to gain admission. Early arrival is encouraged to avoid long lines. (For a list of other game day reminders, go tohttp://www.nis.wvu.edu/2004_Releases/ticketing_reminder_9-10-04.htm.)