Thousands of Iowans from all corners of the state will be traveling to Ames Saturday for the big football game. The kickoff between Iowa and Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium is scheduled for 11 a.m. I.S.U. Police Chief Jerry Stewart says it’s a major challenge directing up to 75,000 people into an area covering less than a square mile in just a few hours.
He’s encouraging Hawkeye and Cyclone fans to arrive early and consider alternate routes to avoid frustration. “Typically, crowds travel I-35 to Highway 30 and exit on to University Boulevard. That can put a real strain on those arteries. Other routes from the north and west may prove to be faster,” Stewart said.
Public and donor parking lots open at 5 a.m. Stewart is hoping for a civil and courteous crowd. “This particular contest tends to evoke a lot of emotional responses from people,” Stewart noted. The I.S.U. police chief also has a warning for fans who have yet to buy a ticket to the game: get them through a reputable source.
“There have been instances in the past, albeit not a lot of them, where fans have purchased tickets or even donor passes through Craigslist and they’ve been counterfeit,” Stewart said. “That leads to a good deal of frustration when that fan is turned away at the gate.”
Tomorrow’s game marks the 59th meeting of Iowa and Iowa State on the football field.