NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department has announced a series of fan experience enhancements ahead of Saturday’s home football opener against Illinois State. The expansion of offerings and upgrades to services range from pregame festivities to in-game engagement, concessions and merchandise opportunities, family friendly activities and more.

Many of the enhancements are the result of postgame surveys the department issued to fans, seeking feedback on game atmosphere, venue offerings and overall fan experience. Read on for some of the improvements game attendees can expect this season at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Free, Public Tailgating on Iconic North Oval and Community Spirit Engagement Theuniversityannounced free, public tailgating on the historic North Oval, also known as the Parrington Oval. For the first time in university history, fans can set up their tailgates on one of the most recognizable places on campus, creating an electric atmosphere just steps away from the stadium. For general information on OU tailgating.

Elevated Party at the Palace Experience The Party at the Palace on the north side of the stadium will offer new opportunities for fans to participate in pre-game activities. With a larger footprint that will extend west of Brooks Mall, fans can expect an array of offerings, including food and beverage trucks, family friendly activities, LED screens featuring games in progress and live coverage of the Sooners’ arrival and more. The one-of-a-kind Red Rocket Ford Model T will also be on display for photo opportunities.

In-Game Experience Upgrades Fans will benefit from improved connectivity with AT&T’s 5G service and enjoy amplified band performances and enhanced in-game graphics with live 3D renderings of game stats. In order to improve clarity and volume in the stadium, the sound system received independent service, adjusting EQ levels with each individual speaker. The Mid-First Bank East Stadium Club also received an audio upgrade, with the common area speaker system being replaced to improve clarity and wireless performance.

Premium Area Enhancements Premium area enhancements this season include the debut of the South End Zone Terrace Box (located at the top of the South End Zone), which features seating for up to 36 guests with in-seat food and beverage service. New club partners Evan Williams and Social Bird will also join the experience. Loge Box guests will now have the convenience of pre-ordering select food and beverage items before arrival. MidFirst Bank East Stadium Suite holders will enjoy a dedicated suiteonly entrance and upgraded furnishings, with improvements rolling out throughout the season.

Concessions Upgrades and Merchandise Additions Two new concessions partners will be introduced this season: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Conecuh Sausage. Freddy’s will serve fan favorites including steakburgers, chicken tenders, cheese fries, chili cheese fries and frozen custard. Conecuh, the official smoked sausage of OU Athletics, will feature its signature products at Levy-operated stands throughout the concourses and in premium areas.

New menu highlights also include four specialty hot dogs, hot honey funnel cake fries, the Boomer Burger Basket and loaded tater tots.

Sooner Magic Memories: The all-new Sooner Magic Memories program provides fans the opportunity to upgrade their game day with unique, behindthe- scenes experiences. Fans can capture pregame photos on the field, secure VIP access for the team’s Walk of Champions, highfive players as they exit the field from pregame warmups and more. Experience upgrades are on sale now for the Sooners’ first three home games with opportunities for remaining games to be announced in September. More information can be found at SoonerSports. com/SoonerMagicMemories.

Updated Oklahoma Sooners App The all-new Oklahoma Sooners app is your ultimate hub for everything Sooners – bringing all your fan essentials together in one powerful app no matter where you are.

At the game? Tap into Stadium HQ for real-time updates, schedules and everything you need for a seamless gameday experience, including your tickets.

Watching from home? Game Center turns your phone into a second screen with live updates, interactive game modes and updates that match the energy on the field.

When you update or download the app, make sure you turn your notifications to “ON” to receive team updates, ticket offers, giveaways and more.

Offensive Coordinator Chooses to be on the Field Football coordinators have two choices when it comes to coaching their units on gameday. They can sit upstairs in the box and get a bird’s-eye view or they can be down on the field, close to the action. Firstyear Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is choosing the latter.

Arbuckle, set to begin his first season running the Sooners’ offense after moving over from Washington State, will coach from the sideline this season, he said. He prefers the personal connection.

“I think the immediate communication and interaction I can have with the guys,” he said.

Arbuckle and Mateer, who joined his OC from Washington State in the offseason, led the Cougars to the 17th-ranked total offense in FBS last year. Mateer led college football’s highest tier in total touchdowns after throwing for 29 touchdowns and running for another 15 scores.

Oklahoma needs all the help on that side of the ball it can get. The Sooners ranked 113th out of 134 FBS teams in total offense last year. The addition of Arbuckle, Mateer, and California- Berkeley transfer Jaydn Ott at running back should ensure OU doesn’t finish that low again. Throw in a revamped offensive line and a batch of new targets for the new quarterback to throw to, and the Sooners’ offense appears potentially dangerous, even on paper.

“You get a sense of your players when you’re down there,” Arbuckle said. “I like being able to look John (Mateer) in the eyes and talk to him.”

Arbuckle, who spent the last two seasons running Washington State’s offense and one year doing the same at Western Kentucky, previously called plays for those teams on the sideline, as well.