The Alamo Bowl pep rally, hosted by Rudy’s Bar-B-Q, takes place at the Arneson River Theatre on the downtown San Antonio Riverwalk. Both the Texas Longhorns and Oregon Ducks brought their respective marching bands, cheerleaders, and entire football teams for the packed event. Several hundred fans filled out the Riverwalk amphitheater to enjoy the festivities, including the media’s first glimpse of Texas head coach Mack Brown. The evening closed with a friendly “battle of the bands” between Oregon and Texas’ marching bands, both afloat in riverboats on the water.
Lori Smith and her daughter Sera Franklin wait for the pep rally to kick off. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The Lamar Consolidated High School band shouts before the rally kicks off. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The crowd at the Rudy’s Bar-B-Q have a cheer battle before the start of the pep rally. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Oregon Marching Band race across the bridge before the start of the pep rally. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Hundreds of fans gather at the Arneson River Theatre for the Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Pep Rally. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The University of Texas cheerleaders wait to perform during the Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Pep Rally. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Oregon cheerleaders perform during the Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Pep Rally. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Hundreds of fans showed up for the nighttime pep rally along the Riverwalk. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich and The Duck welcome the Oregon marching band as they play onboard a riverboat in the water. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The Oregon cheerleaders perform during the Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Pep Rally. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Oregon team captains speak to the crowd during the Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Pep Rally. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Texas Longhorns players dance aboard their riverboat. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich and The Duck share a laugh onstage. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Texas head coach Mack Brown makes the “hook ‘em horns” gesture. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Fans hoist up the Texas “horns” sign during the rally. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Members of the Texas band make their entrance to the pep rally on a riverboat. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Texas Longhorns players throw up the “hook em” signal. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Members of the Texas band make their entrance to the pep rally on a riverboat. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The Texas crowd at the Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Pep Rally make the “hook ‘em horns” gesture at the end of the rally. The Alamo Bowl pep rally is held at the Arneson River Theatre on the San Antonio Riverwalk on Dec. 28, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)