Despite many students being away for the Thanksgiving break and some slight confusion about Midnight Yell practice, University officials confirmed yell practice will indeed be performed Friday night before the game.
Previously, yell practices associated with games on Thanksgiving or the following Friday or Saturday have been scheduled on varying days and at times other than midnight, prompting Texas A&M to issue the clarification this year, assuring Aggies and Aggie fans that Midnight Yell will still take place Friday night.
Head Yell Leader Nelson Ingram said it is important for the student body to come to show their support before the last game of the season.
We need the 12th Man to show up big time Friday night for Yell Practice and show Aggie-style support for the team, Coach Sumlin and everyone else associated with the program, Ingram said.
Reid Joseph, junior industrial distribution major, said he loves the unique experience that midnight yell offers to each member of the Aggie family.
I love midnight yell, Joseph said. Midnight yell is something that has always been special to me. My dad was head yell leader here in 1983, so I grew up coming to Yell Practices. I get excited every time. I think its an unbelievable tradition. Its one of a kind and theres nothing like it.
Nathan De Jong, freshman computer science major, said Midnight Yell is important because it unifies the entire student body.
Its [Midnight Yell] showing that, while we play different sports, while we are in different things, we are still the 12th Man, De Jong said. Its one team.
Justin Habinak, freshman nuclear engineering major, said he appreciates the sense of unity that comes from getting involved in the Aggie community.
I just love all the camaraderie that comes with an Aggie football game as well as Midnight Yell, Habinak said.
Many students will be celebrating traditions with their own families over the Thanksgiving holiday as well as supporting their Aggie family during Fridays midnight yell and Saturdays game.
Joseph said he hopes to see students show their full support for their team over the holidays.
I really hope students come back and are there for Midnight Yell and for the game, Joseph said.
The late-night forecast for Friday is for moderate temperatures with only a slight chance for a shower, so a high turnout is expected as the yell leaders and others will do their best to get fans ready for the Missouri game, according to an A&M Newswire press release.
This conference game will close Texas A&Ms first season in the SEC. Joseph also said this will be an important conclusion to an exciting season, and is looking forward to the possibility of Johnny Manziel bringing home a Heisman.
Its our final SEC game, Joseph said. Final game for us to be on the national stage before Johnny goes for the Heisman.