Utes on their way to Freedom Bowl
The University of Utah football team flew to Anaheim, Calif., today to begin final, on-site preparations for next week's Freedom Bowl game against Southern Cal.
The Utes, who haven't played a game since Nov. 20, have held nine practice sessions in Salt Lake City during the past couple of weeks. They practiced again this afternoon in Anaheim.
"We need to sharpen up," says Utah coach Ron McBride. "But I think we've actually gained since the end of the season. We took a couple of weeks off, so when we started back up we had fresh legs."
The Utes, who won five of their last six games to reverse a 2-4 start, will practice every day except Christmas before meeting the Trojans on Dec. 30. Besides practice, the Utes will visit Disneyland and Knots Berry Farm and attend several other bowl functions.
"It's a business trip," said defensive tackle Blaine Berger. "With the snow and cold weather we've had here, it will be nice to get down to warm California and practice."
- By Doug Robinson
Edwards satisfied with Cougs' work
PROVO - BYU is off for San Diego today to begin preparations for the Holiday Bowl, and coach LaVell Edwards is satisfied with his team's work so far.
"I feel good about where we're at," he said. "It helped that we were able to practice outside for a few days; we got more out of practice here than we have in previous years."
The Cougars' plan for this game is the same as for the 1991 Holiday Bowl. They will hold practice Wednesday afternoon, go through two-a-days Thursday and Friday, practice again Christmas morning, take Sunday off and practice once each day next week until game day, Thursday.
"We did this two years ago, when we played Iowa (a 13-13 tie)," Edwards said. "Of course, we're playing a lot better team this time."
The Cougars (6-5) probably need all the practice they can get to defeat the powerful Buckeyes of Ohio State (9-1-1), who are two touchdown favorites - and that's considered a conservative line.
"I think we'll play hard," Edwards said. "I expect the guys will play as well as they have all year."
The coach said his players are aware of the predictions of impending doom but he doesn't know if it's bothering them. "If it is, I haven't heard them say anything," he said.
- Richard Evans