From Deseret News archives:
Countdown to the bowls
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham joined Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo at a press conference Wednesday morning at the Omni Hotel near Petco Park.
Both teams then attended a luncheon, featuring ESPN's Lou Holtz and other speakers, aboard the USS Midway Museum. In the evening, the Utes joined well-wishers for a pep rally at the team hotel.
QUOTABLE: "All 11 guys have their one job to do. It's assignment football. Any breakdown in those assignments and the ball's out of the gate for a big gain." —Utah coach Kyle Whittingham on defending Navy's triple-option offense.
DAY TODAY
Utah (8-4) faces Navy (8-4) in the third annual San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (MST). The game will be televised by ESPN.
WHAT THEY DID
BYU practiced for an hour Wednesday morning at Valley High School while UCLA held a two-hour afternoon practice at UNLV's campus. Both teams attended the Welcome Reception outside the ESPN Zone inside the New York-New York on the Las Vegas Strip. Afterward, the they ate andplayed video games in the upstairs area at the ESPN Zone before heading across the street for an evening performance of KA by Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand.
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
Players from both teams are scheduled to visit Sunrise Children's Hospital. BYU and UCLA will hold practice sessions before attending a pep rally on Fremont Street and enjoy a meal at the Outback Buffet Bowl. The Cougars have also scheduled a couple of service projects.
QUOTABLE
"It's fun doing things that expenses can't pay for, unless you go to a bowl game."— BYU running back Fui Vakapuna on attending concerts and spending time at the ESPN Zone.
"In other words, painful as this is for the rest of the conference to fathom, get used to the idea of seeing the Cougars here this time of the year."—Ed Graney, Las Vegas Review-Journal.
LAS VEGAS BOWL NOTE
The Mountain West Conference is 5-5 all-time in the Las Vegas Bowl while the Pac-10 has a 4-3 all-time record in this game.
