Coast Ole Miss fans gather for Fiesta Bowl watch parties

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV) — Kelly’s Sports Pub in Gulfport was one of many local restaurants and bars buzzing with excitement on Tuesday night, as Ole Miss fans gathered to watch the Fiesta Bowl.

Fans in navy, red and powder blue filled the locally-owned pub well before kickoff to get a seat and enjoy some time with fellow Rebels.

One die-hard fan told WXXV how he planned to celebrate the big plays.

“Well, I hope we can get a ‘Hotty Toddy’ started,” Bill Pettey explained. “In fact, if nobody else will, I’ll probably start one later on if nobody else does one. Particularly, after our first touchdown.”

Others discussed the atmosphere in Kelly’s Sports Pubs and across South Mississippi as a whole.

“It pumps up everybody, everybody’s pumped up,” Brian Trahan said. “I mean, you hear it all around: work, everywhere. I mean, they’re just talking about the big game, and this is a big game.”

“This is exciting,” Dayna Willis explained. “This is one of the most exciting things that’s happening to the state, so I know half [the] state, and even our neighboring states, are supporting this Ole Miss team. They’ve just been fabulous this year.”