Arizona pumped for Vegas Bowl

It’s been a decade since Arizona has gone bowling and the excitement is definitely not lost on the UA football program. From the top to bottom, everyone at Arizona seems to be extremely excited for the Wildcats’ December 20th game against BYU.

''I'm so very proud of Mike and our football staff and our players for what they've done in terms of persevering and growing this program,” said Athletic Director Jim Livengood. “It's an amazing journey and it's not done yet.

“This is going to be a great game. It's exciting to be back in the bowl business after 10 years. Some of things we're experiencing right now are kind of first-time things for us.”

Mike Stoops met with the Las Vegas media on Tuesday and also displayed his pleasure with the game.

''Thanks so much for this unbelievable opportunity,” Stoops said. “I can tell you that our players and our fans are very excited about this matchup with a traditional power of not only the Mountain West but in all of college football. This bowl game I believe has grown in the last 17 years than any other bowl game.”

''No one on our team has ever been in a bowl game,” added quarterback Willie Tuitama. “This is our first time. We hear our coaches telling stories about the bowl games they've been to so we're definitely excited to be here.”

Arizona is going to face a very difficult team in BYU, and Livengood, Stoops and Tuitama all seem to recognize how good the Cougars are.

“I don't know that there would be a better opponent other than Brigham Young University in terms of our two schools and conferences and what we stand for,” Livengood said.

“It's going to be an incredible game,” Stoops said. “We have tremendous respect for BYU and Coach Mendenhall.''

“BYU is a great team -- a top-20 team,” said Tuitama. “We're looking forward to coming out here and having a good time and playing some good football.''