Durham, NC - Duke University Football Coach David Cutcliffe talks with North Carolina Central University Chancellor Charles Nelms at a community pep rally held Thursday evening at the Durham Athletic Park in advance of Saturday's game between the two neighbors.

The event, free and open to the public, included performances by marching bands and student groups from Duke and NCCU, remarks by each school's football coach, among many other activities.

The festivities continue right up until the 7 p.m. Saturday kickoff at Wallace Wade Stadium; Saturday's events include including a Habitat project involving Duke and NCCU students, basketball clinics led by former Duke All-American Jay Williams and pre-game festivities outside Wallace Wade.

Tickets are still available for the game at $25 each and can be purchased by calling 1-877-375-DUKE or at www.goduke.com. Employee Athletic Passes for the season can be purchased here.

For a comprehensive list of the weekend's activities, click here.

Pictured below, the mascots from Duke and NCCU do a little dance at the rally.

Photos by David Jarmul