Dec. 29, 2004

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Texas Tech and Cal are just one day away from action on the gridiron and the two teams along with hundreds of fans got things rolling today with the official kickoff luncheon held at the San Diego Convention Center.

The day began with the "Battle of the Bands" and the Texas Tech Goin' Band From Raiderland (400 members strong) had no problems blowing away the 150-member Cal Marching Band. Following the Battle of the Bands, Holiday Bowl fans packed the convention center main ballroom to hear remarks from coaches, players and administrators from both schools.

After the luncheon, members of the Goin' Band, the Tech Spirit Squads and selected players visited wounded marines at the Naval Medical Center-Balboa. These students put on a short pep rally then posed for pictures and signed autographs.

Texas Tech and Cal kickoff the 2004 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl tomorrow afternoon at 5 p.m. (PT)/7 p.m. (CT) at Qualcomm Stadium. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN.