This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Bowl games are never really just business trips and nothing else, as the players are fond of saying. Bowl committees do a good job all over the country of providing activities and outings for the players during their down time, and the Miami Beach Bowl is no exception.

Friday night, BYU and Memphis players attended the Miami Heat-Washington Wizards NBA basketball game, after practicing in the morning and getting some serious beach time in the afternoon.

By all accounts, the Cougars are having a great time here in the Florida sunshine. It was 78 degrees today at 4 p.m., with hardly a cloud in the sky. The Cougars are staying at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, and they can step outside the back door and onto the beach. It's that close.

After practice today, offensive coordinator Robert Anae was asked about the Miami Vice get-up that coaches Anae, Kaufusi, Holliday and Tujague sported when they left Provo Wednesday and arrived in Miami.

"Miami Vice, bro," Anae said. "When I was in college, that's how we went to the Star Palace. Just like that. Crockett and Tubbs style. I am from the eighties, bro. I know exactly how to do it.

That can never leave you. The decade left, but in the heart, it is all about the eighties."

Even coach Bronco Mendenhall is having a good time down here, it would appear.

"I love it," Bronco said Friday. "Fantastic weather, brand new location for many of our players, which is what you hope for. Being independent, we travel all over. Having now a different bowl site to be to, it is great."

Running back Mike Alisa was sporting a new pair of peach-colored shorts after practice, shorts he picked up at one of the many surf shops on South Beach.

"It has been a blast," Alisa said. "The Miami Bowl crew has been generous and helpful with everything. It has been a fun time here in Miami. I love the South Beach and the whole area around our hotel. It is really pretty."

Quarterback Christian Stewart said the good weather and sunshine seemed to revitalize the team on Thursday.

"Oh man, it was awesome," he said. "It has been awhile since we have been outside, so it was fun. Guys had a lot of energy. After a long flight yesterday, I think people were excited to be outside in the sun."

Linebacker Bronson Kaufusi concurred.

"It is great weather," Kaufusi said. "I love this weather. I love being close to the ocean. It is a great place to be and we are just happy to be here."