With the opening kick-off now less than two days away for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 2010 football season, excitement continues to grow along with the many ,many preparations for the game against perennial southern Conference powerhouse, Appalachian State University. With a start time of 3:00 p.m. to accommodate a television audience, players, coaches, cheerleaders, band members, students, alumni and fans are preparing for flood Finley Stadium to watch the Mocs attempt to take down the number three ranked Mountaineers.

University Chancellor Dr. Roger Brown is encouraging a huge city-wide turnout for the game. “We want everyone to be a Moc,” he says. “You certainly don’t have to be a UTC student or graduate to be a Mocs fan. We are the Chattanooga Mocs!” said Dr. Brown.

If you plan on going to the game, Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Media Relations, Dr. Jay Blackman says, “Don’t wait to come to the stadium. Get there early. If you are in the ticket line at 2:30, chances are you will miss the first few minutes of the game.” While attendees are encouraged to get their tickets early, the First Tennessee Pavilion ticket booth will open at 10 o’clock Saturday morning, with other locations opening at noon. Six dollar tickets are available by going to www.gomocs.com and entering the code word “restore.” With ticket sales already surpassing last year’s totals, officials expect the game to be one of the best attended since Finley’s inaugural contest back in 1997 when 22,642 fans poured through the gates.

On Thursday and Friday before the game, the ticket office at McKenzie Arena will open at 10 a.m. and close at six. On Friday only, the St. Elmo ticket office will be open from noon until six.

New banners are being installed around the stadium to give the facility more of a home field appearance for the Mocs. Fans are encouraged to wear white to participate in the “ASU White-Out” campaign. The team will be dressed in all white. Official “White-Out” shirts will be given out to those first in line until the shirts are gone.

A noon pep rally is set Miller Park on Friday, complete with the Marching Mocs, UTC cheerleaders, the Sugar Mocs and members of the football team.

What should you expect at the stadium?

This year the parking lot surrounding the First Tennessee Pavilion is under the control of the university and will be used for tail-gating events. However, if you can’t get a space next to the pavilion, you are encouraged to tail-gate wherever you park. Also new this year is an increase in parking fees for the lot directly behind the visitors’ stands. There will be a $10 fee this year as opposed to the five dollars paid in years past. All other parking areas remain at $5.00. The lot in front of the stadium is reserved for season ticket holders who have made contributions to the Mocs Club. Parking lots open at 8 a.m. on game day.

At noon the “Party in the Pavilion” kicks off and at 12:30 a new event this year, “The Moc Walk,” takes place with the team walking over to the stadium after an appearance at the pavilion. For those with radios, ESPN Radio 15’s Nick Bonsanto will begin a live broadcast from the pavilion at 1:00 p.m.

At 2:00 p.m. the Moc Sports Network pre-game coverage begins with Jim Reynolds, back for his 31st season behind the microphone, and joined by Todd Agne and Will Poindexter.

The UTC Marching Band, Spirit Group, Elite and the Train parade through the First Tennessee Pavilion at 2:15 and at 2:40 p.m. Moc student athletes from all sports will be honored on Davenport Field for their academic success. The band will commence its pre-game on-field show at 2:55.

SportsSouth Television (Comcast Chattanooga 53, EPB Chattanooga 33, DirectTV 649 and Dish Network 437) begins its broadcast and at 3:05 you’ll see the official kick-off.

Inside the stadium preparations are already underway by the food vendor, Family Concessions. According to owner, Randy Carpenter, “We will be prepared to serve in the range of up to 18,000 fans. It has been our experience, that with the weather predicted for the game, at least one-third of those at the game will eat.” He went on to say that, “We already have three truckloads of Coke products on-hand, plus there will be another truckload present for back-up, in case we run out.”

Thirteen thousand hamburger buns and 3,000 hot dog buns have been ordered, as well as nachos, pretzels, popcorn and other food items.

Mr. Carpenter said that his preparation will include walk-throughs all day Friday, turning equipment on and off to ensure it is working. On game day, he says, “We will begin prep around 9:30 or 10 of the items that are not perishable, such as nachos and pretzels. We will be ready to serve that first person through the ticket line at 1:30 whatever they desire.”

All of this adds up to being “Football Time in Chattanooga.

(Email Dennis Norwood at sportswriter56@comcast.net; follow him on Twitter at DennisENorwood)