Students waited for hours yesterday at the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC), studying notes, reading newspapers and drinking coffee while they waited for their white paper wristbands -- their first step toward buying Orange Bowl tickets.

Associate Athletic Director of Marketing Greg Myford said that about 4,800 wristbands were distributed yesterday. Penn State has about 2,000 student tickets to distribute, but that number includes tickets reserved for the Blue Band. Roughly 1,800 student tickets will be available for season-ticket holders tomorrow, Myford said.

An hour after the wristband distribution started, the line extended around half the BJC. While students waited, they tossed footballs, laid on the floor and read textbooks. With only two stations handing out wristbands, students said they waited at least an hour in line.

"I got here at 8 a.m.," Eric Kessler (senior-media studies) said. "I've been here for an hour and a half and only moved seven portals. But I'm a senior, and this is my last chance to go to a big game."

Though some students had difficulty coordinating schedules with the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. distribution window, the deadline couldn't be extended because of a men's basketball game, BJC Ticket Manager Josie Koll said.

"We've been swamped all day and handing out wristbands nonstop," Koll said. "We won't turn away any student who shows up by 5 p.m. It could take us awhile to distribute to everyone who shows up by 5 p.m."

Joe Mills (senior-management) said he arrived at the BJC at about 7:45 a.m., and a few hundred people were already in line.

"I've slept at the stadium a couple times, but I've never gotten up this early for football," Mills said.

Steve Ellis (senior-economics) said he figured it was better to come early rather than later in the day.

"I figure I have a one-in-10 shot at getting a ticket," Ellis said. "I'd like a ticket, but not getting one won't change my plans. I'm already going to Miami over break."

Despite the wait, Myford said students aren't guaranteed Orange Bowl tickets. Students with wristbands can line up at 8 a.m. today, and the athletic department will pick a random number to start the line.

Some students said they skipped classes and tests for an opportunity to get wristbands.

"I'm missing a final right now, but my professor said I could come to a different section to take the test," Jamie Schwartz (senior-marketing) said.

Alli Floryshak (senior-rehabilitation services) said she could get an Orange Bowl ticket by other means if not through the wristband system but would be disappointed if she didn't get a student ticket.

"The student tickets are cheaper," she said. "My group might get separated, and I wouldn't be sitting in the student section. I might be in middle of the Florida fans."

Katie Finelli (sophomore-kinesiology) said she wanted to watch friends on the football team play at the Orange Bowl.

"It'll definitely be worth the wait," Finelli said. "It's been a long time since we went to a bowl game."