BYU football team invades Las Vegas ward

LAS VEGAS — BYU has made five consecutive trips to the Las Vegas Bowl, but this experience was a first.With the game being played on Tuesday, that meant the Cougars were here on Sunday. For that reason, arrangements were made for players, coaches, administrators, and others connected to the program, to attend sacrament meeting. Sunday morning, they boarded buses at the team hotel, Planet Hollywood, and descended upon the Las Vegas 8th Ward.\"We were informed that our building was the closest to where they would be staying,\" said Bishop David Dye. \"They asked if they could come. We were told there would be about 100 people. It turns out there were about 175, so we were scrambling at the last minute. We have an older ward, so usually it's quite quiet and reverent. There was a little commotion, but it was fun, realizing the special occasion.\"The sacrament meeting included various selections of Christmas hymns, a talk by a recently returned missionary, and closing comments by Bishop Dye.After the meeting, Bishop Dye said he appreciated the visit to his ward by the BYU football team. \"It was great to have them with us. What a remarkable example this team is to all of us — their commitment to do what's right.\"BYU director of football operations Duane Busby said school administrators considered holding its own sacrament meeting, \"but with being at a hotel on the (Las Vegas) Strip, that setting didn't seem quite right.\"Also on Sunday, a handful of players participated in Las Vegas Bowl-sponsored service projects, including a visit to the Sunrise Children's Hospital. Sunday night, the Cougars and Oregon State Beavers dined together at the Outback Buffet Bowl, as part of the Las Vegas Bowl festivities.One thing BYU did not do, of course, was practice. The Cougars enjoyed a day of rest because of the school policy that prohibits playing or practicing on Sundays.After Saturday's practice, reporters asked coach Bronco Mendenhall if not practicing just two days before a big game would be a disadvantage for his team.\"I don't think so. We haven't worked on Sunday for five years, so this isn't anything new,\" the coach said. \"It's a unique place and the best thing we could be doing (Sunday) is representing our faith and worshipping and doing the things we know are right. That will be the best benefit we could have.\"Most of Sunday was reserved for \"family time,\" Mendenhall said. \"We have 41 married players on our team, so it's great for them to be with their wives.\"BYU senior quarterback Brenden Gaskins was looking forward to being able to keep the Sabbath Day holy while on this bowl trip.\"It will be a day off. We'll get the opportunity to go to church, take the sacrament and hang out with our families and just enjoy it,\" he said. \"We've worked hard, so we deserve it. We're going down focused, ready to play. Sunday will be a great day of preparation, both spiritually and mentally.\"