Utes all business in Sin City

Long ago, I was assigned to cover a football game in Hawaii. I arrived the night before. From my hotel room on the 25th floor, I could smell the dark ocean. Far below, somewhere near the pool, I could here a ukulele.

I know, it's a cliche.

But it was my first trip to the Islands, and I loved it anyway — even the ukulele.

I lay down on my bed, still in my clothes, the warm breeze coming in, and slept until daylight. After reading the paper and eating breakfast, I caught a ride to the stadium. When the game ended, I went straight to the airport and took the red-eye home.

That was it — my big Hawaiian business vacation.

No Magnum P.I. No Don Ho. No Five-Oh.

I didn't even buy puka shells.

When I got back to Salt Lake, people asked how my trip went. A lot like the trip to Laramie, I said, except you couldn't see the steam from your breath.

I bring this up because the Utah football team is about to have a similar no-frills experience, at another exciting destination. Tonight the Utes play UNLV in America's No. 1 party town, Las Vegas.

But just like my long-ago trip to Hawaii, it's not likely to be all that eventful. In fact, other than the weather, it will be like any other trip.

It will be work.

That's not to say it isn't a great recruiting tool for the Utes. Tell some kid from Texas he could be playing in Las Vegas at least twice in his college career, he'll imagine cruising down the Strip in a pimped out SUV, speakers booming, looking like a rap star. (Incidentally, some of the Vegas headliners this week are Jay Leno, Bette Midler and Donny and Marie, but even they look cool in Vegas.)

In reality, Ute players will largely end up sitting in their hotel rooms, except for the game. The team hotel isn't even on the Strip — it's in Henderson, 20 miles out.

"There's no difference from any other trip," said Ute safety Robert Johnson.

"It's a regular game," added linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, a Las Vegas native. "We prepare like any other game, just a different city. "

This, naturally, could irritate both players and their relatives, if they let it. What 20-year-old wouldn't want to be loose in Sin City? But this is how it goes: They arrive on Friday, when buses take them to the hotel near the edge of the earth. There is a players' meeting, then the team dinner. That is followed by either watching game film, or a movie in the hotel. Soon to follow is another meeting. Then comes the late-night treat.

"Greatest thing ever," said Sylvester.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, salads — a midnight snacker's delight.

"It's not a snack, it's another meal — don't get me wrong," said Sylvester.

He is allowed to visit with family and friends; it's his hometown. But party?

Mostly the players just wait.