BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall and linebacker Cameron Jensen spent part of Thursday in Las Vegas to participate in officially kicking off festivities for the Dec. 21 Las Vegas Bowl.

Oregon coach Mike Bellotti and first-team All-Pac-10 center Enoka Lucas also attended the news conference held at the ESPN Zone located inside the New York-New York Hotel, along with bowl representatives and administrators from both schools.

"We are ecstatic to have a game featuring two national programs in BYU and Oregon in front of what is sure to be another record-setting crowd," said Las Vegas Bowl executive director Tina Kunzer-Murphy. "The southern Nevada community and fans of both BYU and Oregon just can't wait for Dec. 21st and what promises to be a memorable meeting."

While the Cougars (10-2) fell in last year's Las Vegas Bowl to California, the Ducks (7-5) played in the game in 1997, when they crushed Air Force, 41-13.

"It's an honor to return to the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl as Mountain West Conference champions," said Mendenhall. "We look forward to representing Brigham Young University and the conference at the highest level."

Oregon lost to Oklahoma, 17-14, in the Holiday Bowl a year ago. The Ducks are searching for their first postseason victory since winning the Fiesta Bowl after the 2001 campaign.

"My entire coaching staff and players are extremely excited to be invited to play in the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl," Bellotti said. "The coaches remember and the players have heard stories about how much fun it was last time and the great experience the people of Las Vegas provided for all of us."

Bowl Week in Las Vegas offers an assortment of activities for players, coaches, administrators and fans. The events include a welcome reception at the ESPN Zone and Show Night in Las Vegas, featuring Blue Man Group at the Venetian on Dec. 18; a visit to Sunrise Children's Hospital and the Outback Buffet Bowl and Pep Rally at the Golden Nugget/Fremont Street Experience on Dec. 19; and the Kickoff Luncheon at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Dec. 20.

The Las Vegas Bowl, which is owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television, will be televised live on ESPN at 6 p.m. Brent Musburger will handle the play-by-play with analyst Bob Davie.

Last year's Las Vegas Bowl between BYU and Cal attracted a sold-out record attendance of 40,053. This year's game will include an additional 4,100 temporary bleachers. Tickets not designated for the two teams sold out on Nov. 16, before either school had been invited.