PROVO » Meeting the media for the first time since their 48-24 loss to Utah more than two weeks ago, the BYU Cougars stressed on Monday morning that they will be just as hungry to win the Las Vegas Bowl as Arizona will.

"There's a lot riding on this game for BYU," said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall called Arizona "a worthy opponent" for the Dec. 20 game at Sam Boyd Stadium and said the 7-5 Wildcats have a different identity than they did the last two times BYU played them, in 2007 and 2006.

The coach said he views it as a compliment that the Las Vegas Bowl bypassed No. 11 TCU and took No. 16 BYU for the fourth straight time.

He said the Cougars are eager to "check off another thing that has never been done before."

BYU has never won three straight bowl games.

Other notes from the news conference:

» Holmoe said BYU is close to finalizing its 2009 schedule and acknowledged that a rumored season-opener in the works against a big-name opponent could be "big. It could be good."

Last month, the Tribune reported that talks were under way that could pit BYU against Oklahoma in a game at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium being built in Texas.

Holmoe said he won't announce who that missing nonconference opponent will be until all contracts have been signed, for fear of messing up the negotiations.

» Mendenhall said injured cornerback Scott Johnson (double groin tear) is progressing quickly and that there is "a likely chance" that Johnson will play in the Las Vegas Bowl. Tight end Dennis Pitta (MCL sprain) should be close to 100 percent.

» Asked if Arizona will be the hungrier team because it hasn't been to a bowl game in 10 years, Mendenhall said, "I think you will see two hungry teams."

» Mendenhall said he has not been contacted by any schools about job openings for him or any of his assistants.

» Quarterback Max Hall again took the blame for BYU's 48-24 loss to Utah, having thrown five interceptions. "I know I am better than that and can play better," he said.

» Hall said he records every game on his television at home, but he deleted the Utah game without watching it. However, he met with offensive coordinator Robert Anae and they and other offensive players watched film of the game and dissected it for more than three hours.

"It was painful, but we learned a lot," he said.

» Hall was asked whether Pitta and Austin Collie have talked to him about their future plans. Both are juniors, as is Hall. "I have talked to both of them and I think they will both be back [for their senior seasons]," he said.

» Holmoe said he spoke to Mendenhall for about an hour after the Utah game and that they see eye-to-eye on everything. "Nothing where he looked at me funny or I looked at him funny," he said.

» Holmoe said no premium will be placed on bowl tickets purchased through BYU this year, only an $8 charge for postage and handling.