JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – The excitement for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl kicked into high gear on Friday as Missouri and Virginia brought their team spirit to Jacksonville Beach for their bowl game’s annual pep rallies at Deck the Chairs.
Virginia kicked off the festivities at 5:30 p.m., followed by Missouri at 6:15 p.m. at the Jacksonville Beach Seawalk Pavilion, as both teams made their final public appearances before Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff at EverBank Stadium.
The evening was particularly special for local Virginia alumna Latanya Wynn-Hall. She is a part of the UVA Club in Jacksonville and Class of 1989. who expressed her pride in seeing her team compete in her hometown.
“It’s absolutely wonderful because Virginia doesn’t get to Florida too often,” Wynn-Hall said. “I’m just proud of my school, proud of my alumni, proud of the football team, just proud of the program.”
For Missouri fans like Lance Privett, the bowl game presented an exciting travel opportunity.
“It’s great. We love to travel over the country and just an amazing opportunity. We’re happy to go cheer on our team,” Privett said.
The pep rallies transformed Jacksonville Beach into a sea of blue and orange for Virginia and black and gold for Missouri. Deck the Chairs provided a festive backdrop as the school bands energized the crowds, creating an atmosphere that attracted even local Jacksonville residents with no direct connection to either team.
“It’s just the spirit of it and the time of year makes everyone come together,” Duval resident Duane Ferguson said. “Everyone is so happy... at the end of the day, everyone goes home happy just being here in Jacksonville, Florida.”
For both teams, the Gator Bowl experience has already proven meaningful beyond the upcoming competition.
At a news conference Friday, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz highlighted the significance of spending Christmas in Jacksonville.
“Bowl games are really defined by two things -- the location, No. 1, and obviously spending Christmas in Jacksonville,” Drinkwitz said. “I was on this beach for the first time in my life on Christmas Day, and I thought what an awesome experience that has been.”
Missouri is trying to reach nine wins for the third consecutive season on Saturday.
“The last time we were here was the last time that we beat Alabama. So it is a significant piece of our history and the accomplishments that we’ve had,” Drinkwitz noted.
Jacksonville also carries some significance for Virginia head coach Tony Elliott. Elliott spent 11 seasons at Clemson as an assistant, coaching Jaguars stars Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.
Elliott joined Drinkwitz for a fireside chat at WJCT on Friday morning.
Elliott was asked about who he would have liked to join him at Christmas dinner on Thursday. He said his two former players make the list.
“The first would be the big man upstairs because that’s his birthday and the real reason for the season, just to put everything in perspective,” he said. “Then I haven’t seen Trevor and Travis (Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne) in a long time — I think it’s been about 5 years, so I would invite them over just to celebrate with us. We are in there playing in their venue in their hometown, and then just to help our team understand what it’s like to play in the postseason because we’ve been approaching this game like a playoff game."
The game also carries weight for the Virginia program. UVA is looking for its first-ever 11-win season. The Cavaliers have not been in a bowl game since 2019.
“I got fifth-year seniors on my roster that have never been close to a bowl game,” Elliott said. “We talked about the objective was that we wanted to be playing where its warm in December - that’s when you’ve made it to the type of bowl that you want to be in.”
Before Friday’s pep rallies, both teams took part in community engagements.
The teams toured Naval Station Mayport this week before meeting with the Dream Team, comprising 11 local youth aged 8-17 who are battling life-threatening illnesses, through a partnership with Dreams Come True.
On game day, fans can enjoy the TaxSlayer Tailgate at the Flex Field from 3:30-7 p.m., featuring inflatable games and photo opportunities. The event is free and doesn’t require a game ticket. Stadium parking lots open at 2:30 p.m., and stadium gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.