Fans of TROY football are excited to see the Trojans hoisting the Sun Belt Conference championship trophy and headed to the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

The Trojans (10-2) will face North Texas, runner-up from Conference USA, at noon on Saturday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

As of Saturday, TROY had sold out of its allotment of club seats. However, reserved seats and Community Hero Tickets remain available for purchase through the TROY Ticket Office. Troy fans can purchase $40 reserved seats and $20 Community Hero Tickets through the Troy Ticket Office by visiting TroyTrojans.com/tickets, by calling 334-670-3681 or in person at Trojan Arena (through Tuesday). Fans will also be able to purchase tickets at the New Orleans Marriott (555 Canal Street) Wednesday through Friday.

“We knew that our fans were excited about a New Orleans Bowl trip and the ticket sales through the first week back that up,” Troy Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain said. “It is important for our fans to know that our ticket office still has great seats available, and they can still purchase tickets to help the local community heroes in New Orleans.”

Head Coach Neal Brown said he knew players and fans were excited about the bowl invitation to New Orleans.

“The New Orleans Bowl is a great destination for our fans and players to celebrate an outstanding season,” Brown said. “I know our players are excited about playing in this bowl game, and we are looking forward to a great week experiencing the culture of New Orleans. This is a bowl game that our fans have circled every year, and we’re looking forward to seeing a strong Trojan presence in New Orleans.”

The level of excitement of fans and alumni was on display last week as TROY Athletics hosted Bowl Socials in Montgomery, Troy and Dothan.

“This season with the home attendance record and all that was accomplished is another turning point for Troy University, not just the football program,” said TROY alumna Dawn Railey. “Being able to go back to the New Orleans Bowl where we got this started in 2006 is really like the cherry on top for the season. I’m really excited about it.”

Alumnus Ashley Aaron agrees the impact of the team’s success extends beyond the field of play.

“It brings notoriety to TROY itself. Being 10-2, undefeated against the SEC and conference champions puts us back on a level where we used to be and it helps not only with perception but also recruiting,” Aaron said. “As alumni, we like it because TROY is not just a regional university, it’s a global university. Being able to see that success helps every step of the way from an alumni perspective and from the recruiting of new students.”

Athletics officials are calling for a “Trojan Takeover” of the “Big Easy.” Manning’s sport bar and restaurant, located on Fulton Street in the heart of the New Orleans commercial district, will serve as the official TROY fan headquarters.

The highlight of the pregame festivities at Manning’s takes place Friday, Dec. 15, beginning at 5 p.m. as the entire courtyard will be reserved for Trojan Nation.

A special New Orleans Bowl edition of Trojan Talk with “Voice of the Trojans” Barry McKnight along with special guests from the University, Athletics Department and football program will air live from 6-7 p.m. in the Manning’s courtyard.

A unique event immediately follows Trojan Talk at 7 p.m. as TROY will host a pep rally featuring a special commencement ceremony. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, will award degrees to the TROY football players and members of the Sound of the South who were not able to take part in the fall commencement ceremony that morning in Trojan Arena.

On Saturday, fans will have the opportunity to send the team off to the game in style with Trojan Walk beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the New Orleans Marriott, located at 555 Canal St. The Sound of the South and Trojan Cheerleaders will take part in this special edition of Trojan Walk.

The Troy University Alumni Association will host its Tailgate Party, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome’s Clairborne Club. To participate, fans must have game tickets and enter through Gate F. Admission to the tailgate party is free for card-carrying Alumni Association members and Trojan Warrior Fund members and $20 for all others.