MU prepares for last home football game

ABC 17 News checked in with MU officials Friday on the eve of MU football coach Gary Pinkel’s last home game to see if any extra security precautions are being taken.

No additional safety measures are being taken despite the potentially 60,000 people coming through the gates of Memorial Stadium Saturday.

The same bag checks that are always in place will be the norm for security.

MUPD told ABC 17 News it’s important to note that no specific threats have been made to the stadium.

ABC 17 talked to some fans Friday afternoon who were already setting up for tailgate parties. They said the events around the world won’t keep them away.

“I haven’t missed a home game in 5 years,” said Casey Ventrillo. “This is Columbia, Missouri, we’re a long way from Paris.”

Ventrillo and his friends said the cold will likely keep more people away than any worries about security.

“I think we’ll have a decent crowd, and weather will inhibit the older crowd and the youngest will stay home.”

Those cold temperatures could have fans showing up late, creating longer lines at the last minute.

MU athletics will be opening the gates 90 minutes before game time as usual.

To make those lines move faster, they ask fans to keep in mind that not all items are welcome inside the stadium.

Bags larger than 16×18,” beverage coolers, outside food and drinks are just a few of the prohibited items.

With no new security measures for this weekend’s game, fans we talked to agree, they said it just isn’t needed.

The wind chill at 3:00 p.m. will be in the low to mid-20s, and at game time it will feel like the upper teens.