Dec. 8, 1999

The last four times the Utes went bowling, they spent the seven to 10 days prior to the game living in hotels and practicing in either sunny Arizona or warm Southern California. "We spent a lot of time at the site," says coach Ron McBride.

That was BTB: Before The Bubble.

Because the Utes now have an indoor practice facility, they have an entirely new pre-bowl itinerary. They will travel to southern Nevada — after a practice — on Tuesday, Dec. 14, leaving them just four days away from home before playing Fresno State in Las Vegas Bowl VIII at refurbished Sam Boyd Stadium.

The Utes began their pre-bowl practices Wednesday and Thursday in the bubble but hope to be outside on their regular grass field for a Saturday morning workout.

They went lightly this week, working only on their own plays, partly because several assistant coaches are out recruiting this week. Next week, they'll begin preparing for Fresno State's repertoire. McBride said they'll practice outside when the weather allows.

At least for this week, and perhaps for the bowl, the Utes are working without one of their biggest weapons — receiver/returner Steve Smith. Turns out the injury suffered late in the game at BYU from a sideline hit was more serious than first believed. His condition will be re-evaluated Monday, said trainer Bill Bean.

Bean was also waiting for final medical clearance on quarterback Darnell Arceneaux (concussion). Arceneaux was doing some throwing from formations this week but not allowed to do much else, other than running.

Bean has also been busy treating several other problems that didn't show up until a couple of days after the BYU game. Tailback Mike Anderson is practicing with a cast on his left hand due to a broken bone, he doesn't know when it occurred. Anderson will play. Cornerback Teneil Ethridge is questionable for the game after arthroscopic knee surgery for loose cartilage on Tuesday.

Definitely out for the game, says Bean, are sophomore offensive linemen Kevin Wilson, who suffered broken ribs in an auto accident, and Joe McCullum, who is having stinger problems.

Despite the sore hand, Anderson, a senior who has been invited to play in the Jan. 22 Hula Bowl, is thrilled to get another game with his team. "This has been a great experience with the win in Provo and the opportunity to go to Las Vegas," he said.

"I wasn't really worried," he said about the suspense last week over whether Utah would get a bowl bid. He watched San Diego State down Wyoming on television last Saturday to improve Utah's chances while he was at home with his family in South Carolina. He got the news about the bid from TV Monday. Several teammates also called him to tell him, he said.

"I felt we worked hard for it as a team and proved ourselves at Air Force and at BYU," Anderson said.

Anderson is almost as happy for Utah's fans as for himself, especially since the bowl is one to which nearly all who want to can attend. "They deserve it," he says, adding that bowl games are for everyone associated with the program to enjoy.