Utah State's practices for Las Vegas Bowl II on Friday may be a little lighter here in Las Vegas than originally planned.
Utah State athletic director Chuck Bell says the Aggies were so enthusiastic in workouts Monday at Dixie College in St. George, where they stayed Monday night, were so enthusiastic that the coaching staff was "a little concerned the guys worked too hard today." Bell says coach Charlie Weatherbie has thus decided to exercise caution in practices once the team arrived in Las Vegas "so they don't go in tired."They're fired up," Bell explains. "It's on national TV."
Said Weatherbie, "We got a lot accomplished today. We got some more fundamental work in as well as one-on-one and seven-and-seven drills. We also worked on developing a pass rush and pass protection. We finished the afternoon schedule with 30 minutes of team work."
The Aggie motorcade of buses and police escort was to arrive at the Sands Hotel about 11 a.m. today. The players had a 7:30 a.m. wakeup call today in St. George, where they stayed the night. The buses had police escorts from Logan to Ogden and from Cedar City to St. George and was to pick up another today for the ride into the city. At the Sands, they were to be met by the Las Vegas Bowl committee.
Utah State was to be already be practicing at Las Vegas' Silver Bowl, site for Las Vegas Bowl II, when its opponent, Ball State, champion of the Mid-American Conference, was to arrive at the Riviera Hotel about 3 p.m.
The Aggie party is about 150 people, including players, player wives, coaches, some coaches' wives, managers, trainers, Bell and wife Gloria and a few others.
At the St. George Holiday Inn on Monday, the players held a talent show. Five acts were presented - singing and imitations of coaches and the like. Bell said defensive back Tyrone Trimble was the winner singing "Silent Night." "He blew us all away - it was a tear-jerker," Bell said.
NOTES - New Aggie media relations director John Lewandowski hurriedly left Las Vegas Monday evening when he learned wife Teresa was going into labor with the couple's first child. She was due Thursday.