STARKVILLE — For thousands of Mississippi State University students, alumni and supporters, the last few weeks have felt like an eternity.
The Mississippi State football team is playing the University of Michigan Saturday in the Gator Bowl, and Bulldog fans around the country have spent the better part of a month making arrangements for the journey to Jacksonville, Fla. But the last few days have dragged on seemingly forever, many fans said Thursday as they packed their vehicles and headed south.
“This has been the longest three days of my life waiting for this bowl game,” said Robyn Cain, who left for Florida Thursday with her husband, Trent, and two others.
Excitement throughout the Golden Triangle has built. Signs in front of businesses on Highway 12 read “Go Bulldogs.”
“I felt like I couldn”t sleep last night,” said Rebecca Tabb, who was traveling to Jacksonville with the Cains and Matt Hester. “It was like the night before Christmas.”
“I actually went to sleep about 5:30 last night waiting on this,” Hester chimed in.
“I”m more excited about this than I was for Christmas,” Tabb added.
Jay Yates, owner of The Veranda restaurant, was going to Jacksonville with his wife, Amy. The Yates were meeting up with a group of about eight other Starkville residents who were flying to the game.
Jay said he would have preferred a bowl game in Atlanta or Nashville, “but the more I started thinking about it, a bowl game is a bowl game, and you don”t get them every year, especially at Mississippi State.”
Being a member of the Southeastern Conference, Yates hopes the Bulldogs represent their conference well against its Big 10 opponent.
“People always say the SEC is best, and now we get a chance to prove it,” he said. “And we better go prove it. If we don”t win, it says how strong Northern football is compared to Southern football.”
MSU student Dan Derrington, 23, of Meridian, was leaving Thursday for Tennessee, where he was picking up a friend. Then he was heading to Jacksonville.
“I”m pretty anxious because, you know, the way our seasons have played out at Mississippi State and Michigan, we should win this game,” Derrington said. “Vegas has us as a touchdown favorite. However, just looking at the legacies of our schools and our track records, you get nervous because you”re going up against Michigan.
“They”ll probably have a good fan base down there and lots of support,” he added. “Mississippi State needs to be the hunter, not the hunted, for it to be a good fight.”
Those who make the trip to Jacksonville will have ample opportunities to mingle with fellow Bulldog fans.
A New Year”s Eve celebration will take place Friday at 8 p.m. in the River City Brewery on the St. John”s River Southbank. The event includes a disc jockey, party favors, hors d”oeuvre stations, complimentary soft drinks and tea, a cash bar and views of downtown Jacksonville.
The evening also features an appearance by members of the Famous Maroon Band and an up-close fireworks display at midnight.
Cost is $20 per person, cash only, and is payable at the door. All ages are welcome, and no reservations are necessary.
The official Mississippi State pre-game tailgate and pep rally is scheduled for the Jacksonville Fairgrounds, adjacent to EverBank Field, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Located in the Jacksonville Expo Center”s Exhibit Hall A, the tailgate features an 11 a.m. pep rally, buffet, cash bar, music and family activities. Cost is $15 per person, cash or check only, and $5 for children ages 12 and younger.
The Gator Bowl marks the first-ever meeting between the MSU Bulldogs and the Michigan Wolverines. The game is in Jacksonville Stadium on EverBank Field and airs nationally on ESPN2 at 12:30 p.m. CST.
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