A few weeks ago we had the opportunity of a LIFETIME to stand on the sidelines of the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl and cheer on the Cougars against the Utes!
Mike worked the recruiting booth for the game, and so he was able to get all access passes for the sidelines. We were also able to score some tickets for our friends and family to come and watch the game with us as well!
Mom & Dad came down and received these early Christmas gifts from Jana and Julie to wear to the game! They looked rather dashing in their BYU gear!
They also brought Quincy and Collin (sadly, Utah fans) to join in the fun as well.
Clearly Dad did not give up on the Cougars despite a rough start to the game!
Aaron and Rachel traveled down from Provo to spend Rachel's 21st birthday here with us! We had fun playing games and catching up with them on the eve of the bowl.
Morgan & Alex also came from Cedar to cheer on the dark side! (We still love them anyway).
And Brett came into town from Phoenix to join us also!
This game was a great chance to catch up with some family and dear friends from the past!
Okay so lets get to the details of the game...
Here we are in front of the BYU trailer where the football equipment is transported *chills*
About to go into the game! I am super excited in this picture because the BYU team is right behind us about ready to run onto the field!
Exploring the sidelines with my handsome man!
This was where we watched the game from! Grant said he saw us a lot on ESPN, which is pretty cool!
This game was particularly memorable because it was the end of an era - the Bronco Mendenhall era. He is leaving to coach at Virginia next year, which I am sad about - he was a great coach in my opinion! Here he is walking with Robert Anae (offensive coordinator who is also going to Virginia) prior to the game starting. Had BYU won this game it would have been Mendenhall's 100th win with BYU. Despite the loss he leaves a great legacy in Provo!
As were standing near the team we were able to meet some of the BYU greats! I saw Max Hall walking behind us (quarterback from 06-09). He was leading the Cougars when my fandom was born, so he is particularly cool to me! He also did a brief stint as QB for the Arizona Cardinals, before he got his concussion. Now he plays for the Canadian Football League. Extremely cool dude and didn't mind stopping to take this picture with us at all!
TAYSOM HILL! Probably one of the most athletic (although short-lived as his career was) quarterbacks BYU has seen. As I asked him to take this photo it was right as he was trying to head to the locker room for the half and BYU was down 35-7. He was so nice and cool about taking a picture with a fan even though he was sad about losing! He seemed so humble and nice.
And finally to add to our QB collection, Brett was able to snag this picture with the current quarterback... Brother Tanner Mangum. Tanner just came off his mission in March - missing spring football with the team. However after Taysom's injury in the first game, Mangum stepped up under immense pressure to lead the team to a winning season. He is extremely talented and I am excited to see what this kid will do for BYU over the next few years!
This was our view of the game... so amazing!
BYU defense taking a break.
Tanner Mangum in between plays
That's where we were on TV! You can see Brett and half of Mike in this shot! Consequently this is the play where Mike lost his voice screaming so loud for this amazing catch by Devon Blackmon!
Bronson Kaufusi - amazing defensive player! (And huge!)
Brett got this photo in the locker room after the game. This is where Bronco officially announced Sitake as the new head coach next year. What an amazing locker room talk to be a part of!
Anyways, the game was awesome and BYU played SO WELL after those first five drives, with the score ending 35-27. It was a nail biting game and I was so excited I started having contractions! Love the BYU Cougars and couldn't think of a better way to end the season then seeing them in action against Utah. We'll get them in September!!
