As football season ends for the Phoenix, the team has yet to play one of its biggest games of the year against in-state conference rival Appalachian State University. Since joining the Southern Conference in 2003, Elon hasn't defeated the Mountaineers in eight attempts.
Many Elon students want to see that streak end Nov. 19.
"It would be huge to beat App State," said junior Brian Sharnsky. "It would give us a winning record this season. It's all about respect though. We need a win for some respect in the rivalry."
Rhodes Stadium will be packed come Saturday when the Mountaineers, ranked No. 9 in the FCS, visit Elon. The two previous home games against App State were sold out, which also marked the two largest crowds in Rhodes Stadium history with a turnout of 13,100 in 2007 and 14,167 in 2009, said Tripp Pendergast, interim athletics ticket manager.
"If it's not a sellout, it will be very close," he said.
Though thousands of tickets have already been sold for the upcoming game, not everyone in attendance will be cheering for the Phoenix.
"(Appalachian State fans) travel very well," Pendergast said. "They have such a strong fan base from Boone on over to the Raleigh-Durham area. A couple of years ago, there was a good amount of black and gold in the stadium, but we're hoping this year we can turn that around and have a bit more maroon and gold in there."
The Elon athletics ticket office has taken measures to control the amount of Mountaineers fans in the stadium. Tickets for the game were made available to Phoenix Club members, season ticket holders and faculty and staff members before tickets were sold to members of the Elon and Boone communities.
Student tickets have also been set aside for the game in hopes that Elon students come out in full force to support the home team.
"We have set aside what we feel is enough student tickets in the stands," Pendergast said.
Once the seats in Rhodes have been claimed, there will be places for students in the grass seating of the stadium. Many tickets for the grassy areas will be set aside for students.
"One of the big keys for us is to not turn away a student at the door just because it is such a big time atmosphere, a big time game, and we want the students to enjoy the college experience and this game definitely," Pendergast said.
The game kicks off at 3 p.m. and it's expected to be an intense game for both Phoenix and Mountaineers fans.
"It will be a crowded atmosphere," Pendegast said. "I know that the two fan bases see this game as a huge rivalry, and I know they're going to bring some fans in, and I know our fans will be ready. It should be a great day for football."