LAS VEGAS -- The hospitality at the Las Vegas Bowl left a lot to be desired on Wednesday.

Not from the Las Vegas Bowl committee, which welcomed both BYU and Arizona with opens arms, but from the weather. A day-long deluge of snow and freezing rain flooded Las Vegas Boulevard, sent native Las Vegans and visitors scurrying for cover and prompted the move of the welcome reception -- traditionally held outside ESPN Zone at New York, New York -- indoors.

From there, the normal activities began in earnest. Elvis sang "Viva Las Vegas," naturally. BYU cornerback Brandon Howard was upset in the Dance Idol competition, but was handicapped by the random choice of song ("Cotton Eyed-Joe") and by the Cougars' secret dance weapon, senior defensive lineman Brock Richardson, who was ... well ... awful. BYU made a comeback in the pie-eating contest as junior linebacker Jeff Bell stuffed his face faster than teammates Braden Brown and Solomon Kafu as well as a trio of Arizona players.

BYU junior tight end Andrew George said his money (hypothetically, anyway) would have been on freshman offensive lineman Nate "Big Rig" Hartung (6-foot-2, 360 pounds). But in the biggest upset of the day, Hartung wasn't even entered in the contest.

"This is always fun," George said. "This is my fourth Las Vegas Bowl and we love playing the unlimited video games. The food is definitely always good. For me, I just look forward to playing the game. That's the reason we came down here. If we just came down and played the game, I'd be just as happy."

The players were also happy to get the gifts from the Las Vegas Bowl. This year, each player received a Wii system bundle package, an Oakley Holeshot Three-Hand watch, Oakley Hijinx sunglasses and a Las Vegas Bowl hat.

Earlier in the day, both BYU and Arizona practiced in the cold, wet weather.

"It's unreal," George said. "I thought we were coming down to Vegas get away from the snow and the cold. It's like we're at the Humanitarian Bowl (in Boise) or something."

"It feels like home," said BYU junior running back Harvey Unga.

Arizona senior wide receiver Mike Thomas, who's from Dallas, said he'd never practiced in the snow.

He surely had plenty of company.

Regardless of the weather - which calls for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 30's for Saturday's kickoff -- players on both teams vowed to put on a good show.

"I think we're going to be ready and play one of our best games," BYU junior wide receiver Austin Collie said.

Later on Wednesday both teams were going to take in the "Stomp Out Loud" show at Planet Hollywood. Today, representatives from the two teams will make a visit to Sunrise Children's Hospital, followed by afternoon practice. The Outback Buffet Bowl, usually held outdoors on Fremont Street, is scheduled for this evening at 6 p.m.

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at ddickson@heraldextra.com