LAS VEGAS — Utah punter Tom Hackett continues to make history. The two-time Ray Guy Award winner will be named a consensus All-American on Thursday, becoming the first player in team history to do so.
Hackett, who was also a consensus All-American in 2014, repeated by making the Walter Camp, Associated Press, FWAA and Sporting News squads. The senior will be a “unanimous” choice if he’s on the American Football Coaches Association team, which will be released Thursday.
Hackett is Utah’s fifth consensus All-American, joining Luther Elliss (1994), Jordan Gross (2002), Eric Weddle (2006) and Louie Sakoda (2008).
Other accolades won by Hackett this season include first-team All-American recognition from ESPN.com, Sports Illustrated and USA Today. He’s also a three-time first-team all-conference honoree by the Pac-12.
Utah topped the nation in net punting (43.67 yards) this season and Hackett was No. 1 in the Pac-12 with 47.8 yards per kick.
VIVA, LAS VEGAS: The Utes practiced in Salt Lake City Tuesday morning before heading to Las Vegas on busses and individually. They gathered for at a team meeting Tuesday night at the Mandalay Bay.
"We're here," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "it's deja vu all over again."
Assistant head coach Dennis Erickson noted that it's always fun to go to a bowl game, especially this time around playing BYU.
"To me, I think it's a great matchup," he said. "It's going to be fun. I know our players are very excited about playing it."
Safeties coach Morgan Scalley added that making it to the site of the game means no more worries about travel and all the extra stuff that goes along with bowls.
"You just get down to work," he said.
On Wednesday, Utah will practice at Bishop Gorman High School.
PICKING THE UTES: Although “Pawn Stars” leader Rick Harrison didn’t have a lot to say, he did give his Las Vegas Bowl prediction to the Deseret News via the show’s public relations company “PR Plus.” His response: “Utes.”
BOWL WEEK EVENTS: Utah will be represented by Whittingham, linebacker Gionni Paul and kicker Andy Phillips at a welcome reception at the Golden Nugget Wednesday afternoon. The Utes will join BYU at a welcome reception at the Fremont Street Experience after that . . . On Thursday, team representatives will participate in charity events for Opportunity Village and the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation. Both the Utes and Cougars will attend Cirque Du Soleil’s show “Zarkana” at the Aria . . . Friday’s schedule includes a press conference featuring Whittingham, linebacker Jared Norris and wide receiver Kenneth Scott at the Las Vegas Convention Center. A luncheon for both teams follows with ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth serving as the keynote speaker. A pep rally at the Fremont Street Experience that night caps things off . . . Saturday’s kickoff is set for 1:36 p.m. (MT).
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