"It's been really fun to watch and play against Arizona the past number of years and see the growth and progress happen," he said. "Having gone through something similar at BYU, I think you'll see two teams that are very anxious to play and thrilled to be in this game."

For the Cougars, there's plenty riding on the outcome tonight as they conclude a season that was brimming with high expectations last August.

"We had goals at the beginning of the season that we wanted to attain, and we fell short on a couple of them. But we still plan to win this game, and that's what we're focusing on," said tight end Dennis Pitta.

"There's a lot at stake, like every game. We want to come out and prove that we're a good football team and that we play with anyone. It will be no different on Saturday."

"There are a lot of good things that can come from this game," Hall said. "I think we can end the season right and let the seniors go out on a high note. Also, it sets the tone for next year. We want to win. A lot can happen for our program if we win."

Mendenhall sees tonight's game as another step in the program's development. A victory would give the Cougars back-to-back-to-back 11-2 seasons and a third consecutive bowl victory, a feat that hasn't been accomplished in BYU's history.

"To me, it's just continued progress," he said. "I think our program is moving forward. The number of wins and the success we're having shows that."

Win or lose, Mendenhall will use this experience to lay the groundwork for the future.

"Either way, it could propel us. Whether we play well and win, it could propel us, or if we don't play well it could propel us," he said. "Over the past three years, the six greatest gifts we've been given are our losses. You have to move the program forward based on your assessment of those games. They sting when you don't play well."

For seniors like offensive lineman Dallas Reynolds, tonight's result will be remembered for a long time.

"It's going to be huge for me. In my last game, I want to go out with a win," he said. "But looking at the future of BYU football, the win's important. It can help us in our road to where we want to get down the road. We want to be a dominant team, and a win's going to help us do that."

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com