Indiana State Excise Police officers were out in full force Thursday at Ball State's home opener against Eastern Michigan, arresting 20 people on 23 charges at Scheumann Stadium.
Officers arrested 19 minors for illegal possession or consumption; one for possession of a false ID and one adult was cited for "aiding a minor to possess alcohol."
A 19-year-old female was also jailed for illegal possession of alcohol, false informing and public intoxication. Her blood alcohol level tested at .162, more than twice the legal limit.
Despite new tailgating rules, excise police and university police officers did not have any problems with Ball State football fans before Thursday's home game, Sgt. Matt Gaither of UPD said.
"It's actually been a little slower today than what we thought," Gaither said.
Student Affairs sent out an email Thursday morning listing the new rules for fans wanting to tailgate before the game.
One rule stated the parking lot west of Tillotson Avenue is the designated spot for alcohol-free families.
Gaither said officers were "cracking down" on hard liquor on the grass area. The email sent to students and staff stated no glass containers, kegs or drinking games are permitted.
"Basically, we're just looking for people that's had too much to drink," Gaither said. "We're keeping people off of vehicles, keeping them out of backs of trucks."
The lack of problems with tailgaters could have been because the game was on a Thursday night, Gaither said.
"If we have a night game that's on a Friday or Saturday, typically we'll have more problems just because we'll have more people out here," he said.
Gaither said he expects the behavior of fans to be consistent throughout the football season.
"Typically, the first couple games, if we set the tone of what the rules are and what people are expected to follow, typically they do a pretty good job throughout the year," Gaither said.
In West Lafayette, officers arrested 126 people and issued 37 citations over the course of the weekend.
Thirty-six of the 37 citations were given for offenses including open container violation, false informing, seat belt violations and other offenses.
Officers also cited a Pay Less grocery store in West Lafayette on two counts of sale of alcohol to a minor.
On Saturday, officers arrested 34 minors, four of whom who were under the age of 18, for illegal possession or consumption in Bloomington during the Indiana University and Indiana State football game.
Since August 17, excise officers have issued more than 100 citations to Ball State students.
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