Two NIU students charged with criminal trespass in an Oct. 10 tailgating incident will enter pleas of not guilty at their preliminary trial at 9 a.m. today.

Joe Watson, 21, 829 Greenbrier Road, said he and Randy Andersen, 22, 900 Crane Drive, will fight the charges entered against them by a University Police officer after tailgating on Homecoming weekend.

A UP asked Watson and Andersen to leave the tailgating area after he discovered some minors helping them carry a keg of beer into the area, Watson said. He said he and Andersen took the keg out of the grounds, but decided to return shortly after.

“We figured we’d do it the proper way, by the book,” Watson said. The two men then put their keg on a truck owned by another friend and re-entered the tailgating area.

Once inside the gates, Watson said they were approached by the same officer who told them they were “under arrest.” Watson said the officer did not tell them the charges and they were not asked to sign the complaint filed later.

Criminal trespass is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Jon Dalton, vice president for student affairs, had issued a statement prior to the homecoming tailgating which stated any problem with disruptive individuals would be “subject to prosecution and judicial action” through the university system.

DeKalb County State’s Attorney Philip DiMarzio said, “I think the police acted in good faith in this situation.”