Dec. 15, 1999

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- On Sunday morning, it's sure to be a well-deserved honeymoon in Vegas for unflappable Utah quarterback T.D. Croshaw.

On Tuesday, Croshaw left with his teammates for Las Vegas, where the Utes (8-3) will spend the rest of the week preparing for Saturday's Las Vegas Bowl against Fresno State (8-4).

But during this frenzied week, there are other things on Croshaw's calendar.

After Wednesday's practice, he will fly back to Salt Lake City. He gets married Thursday to former Utah student trainer Kirsten Kingery at the Mormon church's historic downtown temple.

There's a reception planned Thursday night. On Friday, Croshaw plans to hop a 6 a.m. flight back to Las Vegas. Saturday's kickoff is 4 p.m.

Whew!

"I wouldn't have normally planned it this way," Croshaw said. "I would have liked to have some more time with Kirsten. After the game we plan to stay in Vegas a few days to relax since there's no school."

The week was made somewhat easier when final exams ended Monday. Forget about the Christmas shopping for now.

Yet Croshaw has kept a cool head, just like he did when he led the Utes to victories in their last two regular season games after starter Darnell Arceneaux suffered a concussion.

"I really haven't had to worry about the wedding stuff," he said. "My fiancee has been taking care of that. She did all the arrangements. And the bowl game is just normal stuff, as if I wasn't getting married."

Utah coach Ron McBride said although Arceneaux can play, Croshaw will start. And McBride said Croshaw seems to be acting normal this busy week.

"He never says much," McBride said. "He's kind of the same every day."

Croshaw doesn't expect the wedding to distract from his game preparations, nor does he think the game will take anything away from the wedding.

"I have the mental capacity to concentrate for three hours during the game," he said. "Prior to the game, as for getting ready for it, I don't think it's been a problem."