Game Preparation Concludes on at the Cure Bowl
12/20/2019 6:55:00 PM | Football
Fewer than 24 hours remain before kickoff against Liberty
ORLANDO – Eagle Nation's invasion of Orlando was evident on Friday night as Georgia Southern supporters descended on the city to truly paint the town Blue. Friday's events included the a the final practice of the season, the team picture, a pair of service projects and a pep rally to wrap up the week.
After having its usual No Sweat Thursday walk-thru on Thursday, the Eagles held their Fast Friday practice at Dr. Phillips High. with the final practice in the books, The team boarded the buses to get its first look at Exploria Stadium for the annual bowl game team photo. With a little help organizing the group from Santa's Little Helpers, the players were lined up and the photos were snapped in an expeditious manner, making for a great shot.
Football is Family!#HailSouthern | #GATA | #OrlandoGoesPink | #WeCanTackleThis pic.twitter.com/5kVDh3Yo5U
— Ga. Southern Football (@GSAthletics_FB) December 20, 2019
Several of the injured players had a chance to go visit children fighting cancer at a local hospital. Both squads helped bag food for Feeding the Hungry, and the report was 20,000 bags of food were put together to hand out to to the less fortunate this holiday season.
We're visiting patients at @UFHealthCancer in Orlando. Delivering mini footballs and glow sticks and developing more fans of the #EagleNation. #WeCanTackleThis #CureBowl pic.twitter.com/zFpbykj6mY
— Ga. Southern Football (@GSAthletics_FB) December 20, 2019
After taking some group photos in front of the Universal globe, the team headed in for the pep rally and Battle of the Bands. With the Southern Pride Marching Band performing their top tunes including the fight song. Cheerleaders, Freedom and Gus were also in attendance.
The @CureBowl Pep Rally and Battle of the Bands is PACKED!!! pic.twitter.com/VYzOp9ncUP
— Frank Sulkowski WJCL (@TheBigGuyWJCL) December 20, 2019
It was down to business after that as the team went into pre-game mode. A team dinner and meetings started the evening and the staff actually moved up curfew because the players were ready to get off their feet before tomorrow's game. The team is locked in and ready to take on Liberty Saturday afternoon. Be sure to check out the feature CBS Sports Network did on junior linebacker Rashad Byrd to see what this game means to a lot of players on this team.
"My mom is the bravest woman I've ever known. She is my strength, my motivation."
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 20, 2019
Carolyn Byrd – a breast cancer survivor – inspires her son Rashad every day.
On Saturday, Rashad and his @GSAthletics_FB teammates face @LibertyFootball in the @CureBowl, playing for a cause. pic.twitter.com/ZpwCIRkoPb
The MFC Mortgage Cure Bowl will take place on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. The game can also be heard via the GS Sports Network on radio stations across the state and online.
Georgia Southern fans are encouraged to wear blue for the game. Georgia Southern is scheduled to arrive at the stadium at approximately 11:50 a.m. on Saturday and any fans wanting to join the team for the Eagle Walk are asked to line Pine Street and Terry Street behind Gate B starting at 11:30 a.m.
