'This is our whole season right here'

BSU student Evan Hilliard shows off his tickets Monday morning.

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Story Published: Aug 31, 2009 at 1:14 PM PST

By KBCI Staff and The Associated Press

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BOISE, Idaho -- Hundreds of eager Boise State University students slept outside the ticket office in hopes of getting seats for Thursday's big game against the University of Oregon.

Some students began waiting in line as early as 6 p.m. Sunday.

"(This game) means everything," said Evan Hilliard, a BSU student. "This is our whole season right here."

Boise State officials say the 5,000 student tickets were sold out in 80 minutes. Hundreds of students were turned away empty handed.

Each student with an ID was able to get one free ticket and buy one $32 guest ticket. Each student was allowed to collect tickets for a total of three student ID holders.

Laura Schroeder, another BSU student, said she enjoyed her time waiting in line.

"It's been a really fun night - everyone around here has been really cool," she said.

The game is Thursday night at 7:15 p.m. PDT and will be televised on ESPN.

Local businesses are banking on all the excitement surrounding the game. The Grove Hotel says their rooms are booked for several nights this week.

"Traditionally and historically, this week before Labor day is very slow for us," said Jonathan Wood, Grove Hotel general manager. "We're usually running anywhere from 30 to 40 percent, where on Wednesday and Thursday with the Oregon BSU game coming in, we are now running a good 100 percent on Wednesday and Thursday."

Police say they'll once again be doing extra patrols through the neighborhoods surrounding the stadium, to cut down on illegal parking, litter, and irresponsible alcohol use.

Meanwhile, fans should plan for heavy traffic and arrive with plenty of time to get inside the stadium for the contest between the Ducks and Broncos, both ranked among The Associated Press's top-20 teams in pre-season polling.

And the school is urging people to use the bus, walk or carpool — to avoid traffic jams and parking problems certain to crop up on the streets and lots surrounding the stadium's famous blue turf.

The Downtown Boise Association has free shuttle buses from downtown locations to the game.

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