What they did
The Utes held a closed practice at Scottsdale Community College in the afternoon.
Players and coaches joined fans, the Ute Marching Band and cheerleaders at a pep rally at the alumni hotel in the evening.
Today's schedule
Head coach Urban Meyer and defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham are slated to join Pittsburgh's Walt Harris at the final pregame press conference at the media hotel in the morning.
Coaches and players will participate in the annual Fiesta Bowl Parade along Central Avenue in Phoenix.
The Utes will have a walk-through practice at Sun Devil Stadium from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
The Fiesta Bowl will host a steak fry for players and coaches at the team hotel in Scottsdale.
Distinguished guests from Utah's traveling party will attend the annual Fiesta Bowl Bowl at the Phoenician Hotel.
The 19th annual Fiesta Bowl Block Party will ring in the new year in Tempe.
Quotable
"There are a lot of people that never get this opportunity. To be uptight and be worried about everything, I don't think that would be fair. If I didn't trust my players and the staff it would be a little different as well. But I have a terrific group of coaches and a terrific group of players. I think everything that is happening to these guys is deserved." — Urban Meyer, Utah head coach
Fiesta facts
Utah is the designated home team and will wear its red jerseys . . . The Fiesta Bowl will be televised national on ABC beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 1. Brent Musburger, Gary Danielson and Jack Arute will call the action . . . ESPN Radio is boradcasting the first meeting between Utah and Pittsburgh as well . . . Utah broadcaster Bill Marcroft is ending a lengthy tenure as the radio voice of the Utes . . . This will be the final game for 19 Utah seniors . . . Pitt is making its 24th bowl appearance, while Utah is in postseason play for the 11th time . . . The Utes are seeking their first unbeaten, untied season since 1930 . . . Panthers defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads was a graduate assistant at Utah State from 1989-90.
By the numbers
1 — This will be Utah's first game against a nationally ranked team in 2004. Pittsburgh is 19th in the latest AP top 25 poll.
5 — Pitt is making its fifth consecutive bowl appearance.
11 — The Utes are 11-0 this season when leading at halftime.
24 — Urban Meyer is coaching Utah for the 24th and final time.
96 — Number of games Walt Harris will have coached Pitt.