“I thought this started at four?” asked several people clad in black and gold on Wednesday afternoon as they descended on the fan area set up at Orlando Pointe, by Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl organizers. Pep rallies featuring both Marching Mizzou and Minnesota’s band, along with mascots, cheerleaders and appearances by both head coaches Gary Pinkel and Jerry Kill were scheduled the day before the game.
All media and public information released stated the Mizzou pep rally would begin at 4 p.m. ET, with Minnesota scheduled to follow at 4:45 ET. Yet when I arrived at 3:45, to set up go shoot some video (see below), the cheerleaders along with Truman and the Golden Girls were already dancing.
The event continued with Marching Mizzou performing the fight song twice along with Eye of the Tiger and the Missouri Waltz. Pinkel event made a brief appearance to thank the fans who arrived.
However, by 4:15, the Mizzou event had ended and Minnesota fans were filling up the plaza area.
“We were a couple of minutes behind, but when I got there I saw the Golden Girls and then the Golden Gopher showed up and that was it!” said one disappointed Mizzou fan.
For those of you who missed the event or couldn’t be here for the game, you can watch some of the highlights.
