Bobcats 'eat up' football excitement

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - Before the sun even came up Friday, the city of San Marcos was preparing for a party -- ready to live out Texas State's "Eat 'em up" slogan.

For the first time in 20 years, the city has organized a block party downtown, and it's all with an eye on Saturday's Texas State University football game.

The Bobcats , who upset Houston in the first game of the season, take on the Red Raiders of Texas Tech University.

Party organizers started clearing a block of Lyndon B. Johnson Drive as early as 4 a.m. Friday. And a few hours later crews set up roadblocks. Tents, fencing and other preparations then went up.

The block party will include live music, activities, vendors, ice cream and of course Texas barbeque.

Planners expect a few thousand people to turn out. Also, the debut of Texas State's bigger and better Bobcat Stadium means more people flooding into town. The new North Side Complex adds 13,500 general admission seating.

Police in San Marcos are preparing for the large crowds from both the block party and the game.

More officers will be patrolling the streets, keeping an eye on pedestrians. Block party organizers say they will offer shuttles to and from their event. 

"They're going to be at the restaurants, they're going to be downtown, they're going to be at the gas station, they're going to be at the grocery store, they're going to be in the hotel, so were not only doing this for the athletic department,were doing this for the city of San Marcos," said Larry Teis, director of athletics for Texas State.

Jordan Regas, who is helping plant the block party, is a senior at Texas State. He said the developments within the football program are the cherry on top of what is already a great university.

"I just think it needed that finishing touch--with the football stadium and moving up to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS.) This is only the beginning for Texas State," Regas said.

"This whole town is on fire you can just look around and see what's going on, the businesses are excited the students are excited, the community is excited," said Brian Bondy, of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce.

"We think it's going to be pretty exciting with all the tech visitors. We're welcoming them with open arms and we're very excited. We think about 10,000 people will be out here tonight," said Texas State alumni Amy Fletcher.

Texas State joined the Western Athletic Conference this season.

The block party starts at 3 p.m. Friday and runs until about 2 a.m. Saturday.

Also, Texas State will host a dedication and grand opening ceremony of the Bobcat Stadium North Side Complex at 6 p.m. Friday.