Fiesta Bowl countdown

• The Utes held a closed practice at Scottsdale Community College in the afternoon.

• Players and coaches joined fans, the Ute Marching Band and cheerleaders at a pep rally at the alumni hotel in the evening.

Today's schedule

• Head coach Urban Meyer and defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham are slated to join Pittsburgh's Walt Harris at the final pregame press conference at the media hotel in the morning.

• Coaches and players will participate in the annual Fiesta Bowl Parade along Central Avenue in Phoenix.

• The Utes will have a walk-through practice at Sun Devil Stadium from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

• The Fiesta Bowl will host a steak fry for players and coaches at the team hotel in Scottsdale.

• Distinguished guests from Utah's traveling party will attend the annual Fiesta Bowl Bowl at the Phoenician Hotel.

• The 19th annual Fiesta Bowl Block Party will ring in the new year in Tempe.

Quotable

"There are a lot of people that never get this opportunity. To be uptight and be worried about everything, I don't think that would be fair. If I didn't trust my players and the staff it would be a little different as well. But I have a terrific group of coaches and a terrific group of players. I think everything that is happening to these guys is deserved." — Urban Meyer, Utah head coach

Fiesta facts

Utah is the designated home team and will wear its red jerseys . . . The Fiesta Bowl will be televised national on ABC beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 1. Brent Musburger, Gary Danielson and Jack Arute will call the action . . . ESPN Radio is boradcasting the first meeting between Utah and Pittsburgh as well . . . Utah broadcaster Bill Marcroft is ending a lengthy tenure as the radio voice of the Utes . . . This will be the final game for 19 Utah seniors . . . Pitt is making its 24th bowl appearance, while Utah is in postseason play for the 11th time . . . The Utes are seeking their first unbeaten, untied season since 1930 . . . Panthers defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads was a graduate assistant at Utah State from 1989-90.

By the numbers

1 — This will be Utah's first game against a nationally ranked team in 2004. Pittsburgh is 19th in the latest AP top 25 poll.

5 — Pitt is making its fifth consecutive bowl appearance.

11 — The Utes are 11-0 this season when leading at halftime.

24 — Urban Meyer is coaching Utah for the 24th and final time.