Even with the allure of free tickets, getting students to attend the Panther football team’s home playoff game may be harder than usual. However, the university is making arrangements for students and appealing to their school spirit.

If the Panther football team wins its game against Murray State this weekend, the win will increase the team’s chances of playing its first playoff game at home. While the athletic department is hyped about the chance to bring in fans for a home game, the expected date for the game may cause challenges, said Dave Kidwell, assistant athletic director.

The game will fall on Nov. 30, the last Saturday of Thanksgiving break. Kidwell said he was relying on school spirit and publicity to drive attendance, since recruiting and advertising on an empty campus may yield few results.

The athletic department has passed out promotional flyers in the immediate location, and plans to promote the game in local papers. Kidwell said he expects media outlets statewide will give the game good coverage because it is a playoff match.

Housing and Dining Services plan to open Saturday at 10 a.m. instead of Sunday at 1 p.m., if Eastern does in fact host the game. Kelly Miller, assistant director of housing, said students were being informed of the changes in their Thanksgiving Break check out lists. The flyers also include information about how students can find out if Eastern will host.

“They don’t need to make any special arrangements,” she said.

Furthermore, because most students will not be on campus to receive the 1,000 free tickets that may be available if funding passes through the Apportionment Board, the first 1,000 students to arrive O’Brien Stadium will be given free admission, Kidwell said.

“We’re counting on student interest to see what time the game is,” he said.

“They can all go shopping on Friday and come to the game on Saturday.”