BYU football notebook: Cougars getting acclimated to bowl site

"I slept the whole way," Ashworth said of the flight. "They had all the seniors in first class. I just reclined my seat, closed my eyes, woke up and I was here. It was nice. The plane was huge."

Besides players and coaches, their wives and children, administrators and other associated with the program were on the jumbo plane.

"It's just us as a team and the people who support us," Rich said. "It's nice to have our wives and families down here. We came down here for one reason — to play a football game and to play our best. We're looking forward to it."

INJURY UPDATE: Cornerback Corby Eason suffered a sprained ankle during Tuesday's practice in Provo and was at Wednesday's practice wearing a protective boot. As for Eason's status, team trainer Kevin Morris said it will be "a game-day decision."

LEWIS HIRED: Former BYU tight end Chad Lewis has been hired as the school's associate athletic director for development. He will be involved in fundraising for the athletic department.

e-mail: jeffc@desnews.com