Arizona practice turns into blizzard

It hasn’t happened in a few years but Mother Nature dumped on Las Vegas, just in time for Arizona to take to the field for a delayed practice session.

Our Desnews team attended BYU’s practice at Bishop Gorman High on the west side and it started to get cold and there were snow flurries.

We then made our way over to UNLV’s practice field for the Arizona practice, which Mike Stoops delayed by about 30 to 50 minutes. Reporters who cover Arizona said that is common for Stoops to switch the schedule around, kind of like Gary Crowton used to do at BYU.

Anyway, we weren’t there but a minute when it started to snow. The flurries turned into some big flakes and by the time practice ended, it was solid snow coming down and sticking on cars and the grass.

We got an interview session in with Stoops, the QB Tuitama and the TE. We also talked to Sonny Dykes, the offensive coordinator.

Dykes said Arizona’s practice was very good, that despite the snow his guys held on to the ball and made catches and he was pleased.

The conditions for Arizona’s practice were far harsher than that for the Cougars. May not mean anything. Arizona had a BBQ place cater lunch for them in a tent near the practice facility and it was cold and wet.

The Cougars didn’t go to the regular practice facility we’ve been to the past three years at Valley High School. This Bishop Gorman High is a new facility and it is an upgrade. It is state of the art with Fieldturf. BYU made the change because of a connection to basketball assistant Dave Rice who has a brother who has coached at this Catholic college prep school.

It was impressive.

We’re setting down at the Hard Rock Hotel at “Lucky’s” There is a local special that is not advertised on the menu. Local special. Steak and Shrimp, $7.77. Or we could go for the other special, all you can eat prime rib for @9.99.

We’re taking a break for eats and will hit the ESPN zone welcome party and work on stories for the next two or three hours.