As the Nittany Lions battled Akron in the pouring rain Saturday, the few tailgaters who braved the weather had an issue of their own to deal with: the new ban on drinking in tailgate areas during game time.

Penn State alumnus Bob Reichart, Class of 1972, echoed the sentiments of many tailgaters in his assessment of the new policy.

"I think it's stupid," he said.

Reichart said he's been tailgating at Penn State football games for decades and that most people are just there to have fun, not abuse alcohol.

"The only time I haven't been here was during Vietnam, and I've never seen any problems," he said.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said the new policy was created by a committee that began meeting nine months ago in response to the increased number of underage students hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.

Mahon said the committee is comprised of health experts, university administrators and representatives from Penn State Police Services, the Penn State Alumni Association, student affairs and intercollegiate athletics.

The new policy was inspired by a similar policy adopted recently by the University of Notre Dame, Mahon said.

"We don't know what to do," Mahon said about alcohol abuse during games. "The educational programs aren't working, the warnings aren't working."

No citations were issued to those who violated the policy Saturday, Penn State University Police assistant supervisor Mark Allen said.

Allen said the policy will go into effect at the third home game, when Penn State plays Northwestern University. Enforcement will especially be targeted toward areas where students and fraternities tailgate, such as Lot 25, Allen said.

"The policy is in place to target those individuals or groups of people who come to the areas around the stadium with no intention of going to the game," he said.

Allen said if tailgaters are observed drinking alcohol during a game police will confiscate the alcohol and ask the violators to leave. Those who do not cooperate with police could be given a summary citation, such as disorderly conduct. Allen also said if those asked to leave refuse to leave the stadium area, they could be charged with trespassing.

State College resident Bob Storch said he was afraid that tailgating could disappear altogether.

"This is the slippery slope toward getting rid of tailgating," Storch said.

Kate Andrew, who graduated from Penn State last May, said it's unfair to prohibit people who are 21 and older from drinking.

Andrew said because tickets were in such high demand this year, many people were planning to come to Beaver Stadium to tailgate during the game.

"Check our ID, don't tell me I can't tailgate," Andrew said while holding an alcoholic beverage during game time.

Geoff McCollom graduated from Penn State in 1982, and said the money he pays for a tailgating spot comes with certain privileges.

"We give $1,800 a year to be here; we've earned the right to drink during the game," McCollom said.

He said he is concerned that the rule can't be enforced fairly.

"How do you enforce it if a guy in his half-million dollar motor home is drinking a glass of wine?" he said.

Allen said legally the policy can't apply to people in mobile homes.

"A motor home is just that -- it's a home on wheels," he said. "Just like I can not come to your house and tell you what to do inside your home, I can't enter someone's mobile home or RV and tell them they can't consume alcoholic beverages."