Thursday, Dec. 5, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
It may not be a bowl game per se, but those involved with the inaugural Western Athletic Conference championship game will try to create a bowl-like atmosphere for the thousands of Brigham Young and Wyoming fans arriving in town beginning today.
Tina Kunz er Murphy, the WAC's director of championships in Las Vegas, said there won't be a shortage of things for fans from both schools to do prior to Saturday's 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Sam Boyd Stadium.
"When we set out to put this game on, we talked about providing more than a game," she said. "We want people to come and enjoy Las Vegas and all it has to offer. But we also want them to stay involved with the game."
Today's schedule includes a golf tournament at Sunrise Country Club and a VIP reception at 7 at the Riviera. Friday, the WAC championship luncheon will be held at noon in the MGM's Grand Garden and at 7, the Fremont Street Experience will play host to pep rallies for both schools.
Saturday, the main parking lot at the stadium will be the site of the "WAC Experience," which will be a huge tailgate with hospitality tents for both schools. Food and drink will be available and there will be entertainment provided by bands from both schools beginning at 10 a.m.
"It's going to be a big party," said Kunzer-Murphy. "We've had trmendous cooperation from everyone -- the Thomas & Mack, the people at UNLV, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Everything has fallen into place just like we hoped it would."
Fans looking for ticket information regarding tonight's VIP reception or Friday's luncheon can call 731-5595.
No sellout yet
If you're looking to attend Saturday's game, you can still purchase tickets. Less than 1,000 remain and they're available at the Thomas & Mack box office or through Ticketmaster.
The seats are in the $100 VIP and $25 end zone categories, although there may be a few scattered $40 and $15 tickets available that were returned by the schools.
Any seats still remaining on game day will go on sale beginning at 10 a.m. at the Sam Boyd Stadium box office.
BYU's injuries few
Despite already having played 13 games this season, BYU has held up rather well physically.
The Cougars report just two injuries -- safety Jason Walker, who is out with an ankle injury suffered in the Nov. 16 win over Hawaii, and offensive tackle Eric Bateman, who broke his ankle Nov. 23 vs. Utah and will not play Saturday.
"We've been very fortunate with injuries this year," said coach LaVell Edwards. "I think it's a big part of our success."
Extra points
* GOOD D: Wyoming led the WAC in sacks (41) and interceptions (17) while BYU has posted 19 shutout quarters this season. ... BYU is riding a 10-game winning streak. The last time that happened was in 1983 when the Cougars won the national championship. ... Wyoming has won 13 of its last 14 games and had a nation-best 12-game win streak going until the Cowboys lost to San Diego State 28-24 Nov. 7.
* NO TRAITORS: Though they share a common border to the east, BYU has no players from Wyoming on its roster. Conversely, there are no Utahns playing for Wyoming. There are no Nevadans on either roster. ... Twenty-seven different coaches have served at Wyoming, including Bob Devaney, Fritz Shurmur, Fred Akers, Pat Dye, Dennis Erickson and "Lone Star" Dietz. ... In his 25 years, BYU's LaVell Edwards has taken the Cougars to 19 bowl games. However, the Cougars are just 6-12-1 in those games.
archive
