las vegas news - Snow flies as Cougars practice in chilly Las Vegas

Las Vegas » The Cougars left Provo for this weather?

That was the prevailing sentiment Wednesday morning as BYU practiced at Bishop Gorman High School in preparation for Saturday night's Las Vegas Bowl against Arizona.

Snow fell steadily during the hourlong practice, and temperatures were in the mid-30s. It was the first time the Cougars have practiced outdoors since early November, because when the weather is like this in Provo, they move to their indoor practice facility.

An hour or so later Wednesday, Arizona practiced in similar conditions at UNLV's practice fields, and it was a bigger shocker for the warm-weather Wildcats.

"We were laughing. This is crazy," said BYU linebacker David Nixon as snowflakes fell on his hair and eyelashes. "But you know what? It is still football. I have said it a couple times, I am just glad I am playing football [in mid-December]. That part of it is awesome. A lot of teams in the NCAA are sitting at home, training, getting ready for next year, when we still have a chance to play football, so any time you can do that, it is definitely a positive."

No matter the weather.

"For me, growing up in Utah, getting a little snow during football practice is part of the deal," said BYU safety Kellen Fowler, from Kaysville. "I say, 'bring it on.' It's fine."

He will get his wish. Weather forecasters are calling for more snow and cold temperatures throughout the week and into Saturday's game at Sam Boyd Stadium.



2009 BYU schedule 'close' to done

BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said Wednesday that the 2009 schedule is "very close" to being finalized and that it could happen within the next week or two. Holmoe said he still cannot comment on the rumored matchup between Oklahoma and BYU in Dallas to open the 2009 season because contracts have not been signed.

"Right now, it is pretty obvious there are a lot of things that are going on. It is not that I have been trying to keep anything from the fans or the press or anything, but we are very close to solidifying a change," he said. There is speculation that BYU will drop Arizona State from its 2009 schedule to fit in the Oklahoma game and one other game, perhaps against Tulane. BYU's current nonconference schedule for 2009 includes ASU, Utah State and Florida State.

It became a topic Wednesday because Louisiana-Monroe released its schedule showing a game against ASU, which means ASU would have to drop one of its 2009 nonconference games, presumably vs. BYU.

"I think we have a good opportunity to put together a really competitive schedule next year with some great games, and do a little travel, and it is going to come together soon," Holmoe said.



Injury update

Defensive back Scott Johnson practiced Wednesday, basically for the first time since he suffered a double groin tear in the Colorado State game. Johnson said he expects to get in a couple of dozen plays Saturday, but won't play the entire game.

"I feel a lot better, just in terms of getting over that fear factor of how will it feel when I do open up," he said. "How will it feel when I have to burst? That was probably the biggest thing for me, was getting over that and being confident with how I move."

Senior safety Kellen Fowler, who suffered a dislocated elbow in a practice before the Utah game, said his elbow is almost back to 100 percent and he doesn't foresee it reducing his playing time Saturday.

"It is feeling pretty good," he said. "The strength is coming back into it. There's not a lot of swelling. It hurts a little, but nothing that won't go away once the adrenaline kicks in."



Juco commits

The Cougars have received a commitment from Jordan Atkinson, a linebacker from Diablo Valley Community College in Northern California. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Atkinson is the grandson of former BYU football coach Chick Atkinson, who oversaw the program from 1949-55. Wednesday was the first day in which midyear transfers from junior college programs could sign.

drew@sltrib.com

Source: sltrib.com