UT football fans woke from their hibernation early Wednesday in order to get in the game – the next edition of an EA Sports video game, that is.

EA Sports visited campus earlier this week in hopes of finding fans for the introductory sequence of its NCAA football video game, “NCAA Football 2004.”

“We’re looking for enthusiasm and creativity,” said Anthony Ribeiro, a campus representative for EA Sports.

Fans chosen for the game will receive $100. EA’s tour consists of about 40 to 60 campuses, and UT has a good chance of getting a fan in the game.

“Someone from this campus will make it in there,” Ribeiro said. “The shoot won’t be bad knowing UT students.”

Students increased their chances of being selected by being part of a smaller group rather than a big one.

“One big group splitting up into little groups gives them a better chance,” Ribeiro said.

The competition began promptly at 3 p.m. behind Glocker Business Administration Building, with Neyland Stadium as the backdrop for the madness.

Fans slowly made their way to the shoot. Some went with the traditional khaki shorts and T-shirt, while others went all out with costumes ranging from mullets to orange curly hair, to hula skirts and body painting.

“The hula skirt is an ongoing trend,” said Justin Campbell, a junior in advertising. “I wore it to some games last year and will wear it all next year. This outfit took years and years of free time to create.”

Other fans pulled out something entirely different from their game-day garb.

Will Conner, a sophomore in finance, got his orange suit from Pakistan.

“My friend Heath served in the military in Pakistan and got it for me,” he said. “Since my usual football garb is back at my house, this was the only orange at my place.”

The traditional student was also represented at the shoot.

Sam Bailey, a freshman in pre-medicine, opted to help his friends in the shoot but wore a T-shirt and shorts.

“I’m a pansy,” Bailey said. “I don’t have anything as original as they do. So why compete with them only to make myself look stupid.”

Most of the fans just wanted to show their spirit and get into the video game.

“I want to get in the game,” Keith Percie, a freshman in architecture, said. “It’s the best game (and) the reason I got a Playstation.”

Free food attracted others to the shoot.

“They had free pizza and Coke,” Kevin Dalley, a freshman in mechanical engineering, said. “I also wanted to be in the game.”

Some students, however, saw the shoot as a calling.

“I love this university, and it’s the least I can do to represent it,” said Adam Sunwall, a freshman in arts and sciences. “We’ve had previous experience. We’re the guys from the Florida game on the UT Web site.”

The variety of fans all felt they were the best.

“Smokey’s got nothin’ on us,” Sunwall said.