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.

“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.

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.

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 Fri., Dec. 15, beginning at 5 p.m. as the entire courtyard will be reserved for Trojan Nation.

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.