JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Fans and alumni of Duke University and the University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss, gathered in Jacksonville Beach on Wednesday for pep rallies ahead of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
The event attracted not only dedicated supporters but also beachgoers who joined in the festivities.
Jacksonville Beach was bustling with energy as Duke and Ole Miss fans, along with parents, prepared for the big game. Among them was Danny Babel, who traveled from Tennessee to support his daughter, a Rebelette for Ole Miss.
“We’re staying downtown by the river walk. We watched fireworks at midnight last night, and we’re just really enjoying Jacksonville,” Babel said.
Tasha Twyman made the trip from Georgia to cheer on her daughter, who is part of Duke’s cheerleading squad. Twyman expressed her excitement about visiting Jacksonville, a place she holds dear.
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“It’s so great because we have lifelong memories here. We travel to Jacksonville once a year for the Fourth of July. So being in one of our happy places and now cheering for Duke here, it’s all just full circle. It’s great,” Twyman said.
Both parents were adamant about not missing the game, which their daughters are a part of.
Babel confirmed, “Oh, absolutely, yeah, we wouldn’t miss it.”
“We’ll be there in the cold, freezing with all of our heated gear on, ready to cheer for our Blue Devils,” Twyman said.
Confidence was high among both sets of fans.
“We’re excited to watch Ole Miss beat Duke by about 21 points,” Babel said.
Meanwhile, Twyman was equally optimistic, saying, “We’re excited and we’re gonna beat Ole Miss tomorrow! Let’s go!”
The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will take place at EverBank Stadium on Thursday night. The start time is adjusted from 7:30 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. as a result of changes to the Sugar Bowl following the deadly attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.