NEW ORLEANS - "Keep on Loving You" pierced the New Orleans night as 80's hit band REO Speedwagon rocked the night away at Champions Square just outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for one final night of fun before Saturday's R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

The rock band who originated in Champaign, Illinois, registered multiple hits, led by "Keep on Loving You" which topped the Billboard Charts in 1980. Joining the song on the popular album "Hi Infidelity" was "Take it on the Run" which peaked at number five on the charts, which also made an appearance on the set list in Champions Square Friday night.

"[The concert] was a blast," Jordan Rushing, a Louisiana Tech alum, said. "Being from New Orleans, the entire week has been great leading up to Saturday night. I am really looking forward to the game tomorrow and watching the Bulldogs."

When REO Speedwagon took the stage, the Bulldogs and Red Wolves' football team were settling in for a quiet night at their respective hotels with kickoff less than 24 hours away.

Neal Doughty, a keyboardist, remains as the lone remaining member of the band that got its start back in 1967. Doughty is joined by Kevin Cronin, Bruce Hall, Dave Amato and Bryan Hitt.

A crowd ranged back from the stage to the steps of the Superdome as REO Speedwagon play for nearly two hours in front of the energetic crowd filled with the LA Tech faithful.

The Bulldogs take on Arkansas State at 8 p.m. Saturday when the two teams meet in the 2015 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The game will air live on ESPN and ESPN Radio.

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