MADISON – OK. OK. Kickoff is not until Oct. 15, but single-game tickets are now on sale for a historic college football game at Toyota Field between ASUN Conference and intrastate foes North Alabama and Jacksonville State.
Toyota Field will have a capacity of about 10,000 fans for the game. The Lions and Gamecocks have fans and alums in and around the Rocket City, so tickets are expected to go fast.
Tickets can be purchased online at trashpandasbaseball.com, over the phone at (256) 325-1403 ext.1, or at the Wicks Family Foundation Box Office at Toyota Field. Premium seating and hospitality options are available.
In case you haven’t heard, the Rocket City Trash Pandas have agreed to temporarily (and amazingly) convert their baseball diamond into a one-way football field for this one-time football event.
Both schools will have their full contingent of band members in attendance, adding a traditional college football feel to what is sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience.
“We look forward to welcoming UNA and JSU to Toyota Field for a top-notch experience that we offer all of our fans every night during baseball season,” said Garrett Fahrmann, general manager of the Rocket City Trash Pandas. “While this event has some unique characteristics to it, our focus is on keeping the same mindset we have for Trash Pandas games – to create a special fan experience that will want them to come back for another event at Toyota Field.”
There will be a full range of food and beverage options available throughout the ballpark, which features a 360-degree concourse so that fans can always have an eye on the game.
Furthermore, the matchup will be broadcast live on the ESPN+ streaming service.
Due to required safety protocols, all offensive drives during the game will be played in one direction – toward the first base dugout. The reason is NCAA rules require a minimum of 10 yards beyond each endzone. Due to the dimensions of Toyota Field, there is only 7 yards between the end of the east endzone and the leftfield fence.
The game is historic for several reasons, aside from being played one-way on a baseball field.
It will be the 50th all-time meeting between the Lions and Gamecocks in a cross-state rival series that dates to 1949.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools with Jacksonville State as a member of the ASUN Conference.
The 2022 season also marks North Alabama’s first season as a full Division I member, allowing the Lions to compete for the ASUN Championship and an NCAA FCS Playoff bid.
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