As the largest tailgating crowd of the season travels to Ames, local law enforcement officials will play their best prevent defense to ensure a safe environment.

The Ames Police Department, ISU Police and the Story County Sheriff’s Office will all help out with managing the crowds prior to, during and after Saturday’s intrastate clash between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones.

ISU Police Cmdr. Gene Deisinger said they have their complete force out for every home game, so the Iowa game simply cannot see more officers from them.

“We start staffing six hours before the game and hang around an hour or two afterwards,” Deisinger said.

It’s a common belief that most of the trouble that happens at the game is fights between the two rabid fan bases. Deisinger said it’s usually just verbal jousting between Cyclone and Hawkeye fans, however, and not full-blown brawls.

Deisinger said during games such as Iowa, Nebraska and Northern Iowa, there are increased arrests and citations because of the high attendance levels.

Robinson said because of the increased number of fans the day of the game, there tends to be an increased number of vandalism and fights.

“Arrests do go up, but that’s just because there is a lot more volume,” Robinson said.

The battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy will be the first game the Cyclones will play during the day, and Deisinger said day games often bring a different set of circumstances. He personally, however, has no preference for a start time.

Robinson said because it’s a day game, he expects the Ames bars to be very full at night, and many of the problems between opposing fans happen at the bars.

“Alcohol is a problem,” Robinson said. “It starts a domino effect.”