Ohio State has been allotted just 4,000 tickets to sell to its fans for the Sept. 9 showdown with the Texas Longhorns, but there'll be far more people wearing scarlet and gray in Austin that weekend.

"We're projecting 35,000 or 40,000 people," said Bruce Brandel, vice president of the Austin chapter of the Ohio State Alumni Association.

If things go as they've planned, fans of the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes will be taking over the Erwin Center, partying at Stubbs and cruising on boat tours.

"It's not uncommon for fans to just want to be where the team and other fans are, especially when it's a big game, out of state, against a highly ranked opponent," Brandel said. "People will treat it like a minivacation."

Most of them probably won't even get into Royal-Memorial Stadium for the game -- a rematch of two of college football's top five teams that is being touted as an early barometer on the national championship race.

The Ohio State Alumni Association has rented the 16,000-seat Erwin Center, where the Longhorns play basketball, a few blocks away from Royal-Memorial Stadium for an afternoon pregame party Sept. 9.

Erwin Center director John Graham said some other visiting schools have rented a part of the building, but he can't remember anyone ever taking the whole place.

"We'll play for our alumni and friends and then march over to the stadium," said Ohio State band director Jon R. Woods, who is bringing his entire 225-piece ensemble.

Two-time Heisman Trophy winner and current Ohio State alumni president Archie Griffin is expected to speak at the Erwin Center event.

Miami

Receiver Ryan Moore has been suspended indefinitely by coach Larry Coker. Coker said after practice yesterday that Moore's suspension was for violating team policy. Moore already had been suspended for the first two games of the season. The suspension could still be lifted depending on what coaches learn about the situation that prompted the punishment. Moore is a fifth-year senior who opted to return to the Hurricanes instead of turning pro.

Seton Hill

The Griffins opened the season with a 31-14 home loss to the Hilltoppers of West Liberty. Seton Hill began the game with a six-play, 56-yard drive culminated with a 4-yard touchdown run by Sergio Brockingham in front of 1,319 at Offutt Field. But Jay Guillion threw two touchdown passes and Eddie Hills rushed for two scores as West Liberty pulled away for the win. Antwarn Jones rushed for 113 yards, including a Seton Hill record 98-yard scoring run, for the Griffins in the loss.