LAS VEGAS BOWL 2016 MEDIA GUIDE A UNIQUE BLEND OF EXCITEMENT ian attraction at Bellagio. The world-famous Fountains of Bellagio will speak to your heart as opera, classical and whimsical musical selections are carefully choreo- graphed with the movements of more than 1,000 water- emitting devices. Next stop: Paris. Take an elevator ride to the observation deck atop the 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas for a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Valley. For decades, Las Vegas has occupied a singular place in America’s cultural spectrum. Showgirls and neon lights are some of the most familiar emblems of Las Vegas’ culture, but they are only part of the story. In recent years, Las Vegas has secured its place on the cultural map. Visitors can immerse themselves in the cultural offerings that are unique to the destination, de- livering a well-rounded dose of art and culture. Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s colorful, public artwork Seven Magic Mountains is a two-year exhibition located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, which features seven towering dayglow totems comprised of painted, locally- sourced boulders. Each “mountain” is over 30 feet high to exhibit the presence of color and expression in the There are countless “excuses” for making a trip to Las feet, 2-story welcome center features indoor and out- Vegas, from the amazing entertainment, to the world- door observation decks, meetings and event space and desert of the Ivanpah Valley. class dining, shopping and golf, to the sizzling nightlife much more. Creating a city-wide art gallery, artists from around that only Vegas delivers. Downtown’s famous casino-lined Fremont Street the world have helped to beautify Las Vegas’ downtown Las Vegas’ array of accommodations and amenities has been converted into a 175,700-square-foot pedes- district with giant murals painted on various buildings offer something for nearly every taste, including visitors trian area covered by the Viva Vision canopy, the world’s and structures throughout the Fremont East Entertain- seeking a luxurious experience, both in and out of the largest graphic display system. Called the Fremont ment District. Each year, the annual Life is Beautiful casino. In fact, in the last several years, Las Vegas has Street Experience, this canopy showcases spectacular Music and Arts Festival commissions artists to create established its place among the ranks of the world’s light and sound shows every hour on the hour during the new murals and art instillations for the three-day festival, plushest destinations. evenings. If you’re looking for thrills of a different nature, which then become part of the city’s landscape. While it would be impossible to list all that Las Ve- ride “SlotZilla,” the world’s most unique zip line attrac- The National Museum of Organized Crime and gas offers, below is just a taste of what’s available when tion, featuring the 850-foot Zipline and the 1,750-foot Law Enforcement (The Mob Museum) is an interactive visiting the destination. Zoomline as people launch from a 12-story slot-machine museum presenting a bold and authentic view of or- When you’re not winning in the casino, lounging by themed takeoff platform to fy under the Viva Vision ganized crime’s impact on Las Vegas’ history and the the pool or savoring delicious cuisine, you’ll fnd that Las canopy. unique imprint that extended to America and the world. Vegas has a variety of must-see attractions and enter- Not far from the Fremont Street Experience, Down- The exhibits, programs and experiences offer multiple tainment options to keep you occupied. From thrilling town Container Park has become a central hub for all perspectives and provide a contemporary, engaging, roller coasters to erupting volcanoes and the world’s things dining, shopping and entertainment in the Fre- challenging and educational experience. The $42 mil- tallest observation wheel, Las Vegas’ attractions appeal mont East area of downtown Las Vegas. Opening its lion museum is located in the heart of downtown’s urban to people around the world. doors to the frst guests in 2013, the unique structure core, and is housed in the former federal courthouse and The High Roller is the tallest observation wheel in soon became a hot spot for local businesses. The ar- United States Post Offce. the world at an impressive 550 feet tall and is located chitecture of the Park stands out among the mid-century Focused on preserving one aspect of Las Vegas’ vi- at The LINQ Promenade. Towering above The LINQ buildings of downtown as it is assembled from recycled brant history, the Neon Museum is a collection of more Promenade’s $550 million outdoor, dining, entertain- shipping containers and Smart Cubes manufactured lo- than 150 classic neon signs from the 1930s to present ment and retail district by Caesars Entertainment, the cally. The venue’s centerpiece is The Treehouse with a day. The two-acre campus includes an outdoor exhibi- High Roller provides spectacular views of the Las Ve- 33-foot slide providing fun for guests of all ages. tion space formerly known as the Neon Boneyard and gas Strip and Valley. The attraction even offers an op- Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower has four of the also encompasses a visitors’ center housed inside the tion for a Happy Half-hour, allowing passengers to en- world’s highest rides, located 100 stories above the former La Concha Motel lobby. Currently 15 refurbished, joy cocktails on their 30-minute revolution. For the yoga ground. SkyJump is a “controlled free-fall” in which par- vintage neon signs are on display throughout downtown enthusiasts, “Yoga in the Sky” is also available. The ticipants plummet 855 feet at a speed of up to 40 miles Las Vegas. experience includes a one-hour yoga session with an per hour. X-Scream teeters riders over the edge of the instructor from Silent Savasana and up to six guests per tower 900 feet above the ground, 30 feet over the edge cabin. This allows riders to have a more individualized, of the building, at 33 miles per hour. Big Shot is a thrill soothing and focused session while taking in sweeping ride that shoots adrenaline-seekers 160 feet into the air views of the Las Vegas Strip and skyline. at a force of 4Gs before letting them free-fall back to SPEEDVEGAS is a 100-acre motorsports complex the launching pad. Insanity is an appropriately named, that opened in March 2016. Guests at SPEEDVEGAS dizzying, spinning ride that dangles passengers over the experience the world’s most sought-after muscle cars edge of the tower before whirling them around at speeds and exotic supercars from Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghi- approaching 40 miles per hour. ni, Audi, Corvette and more. The experience features For the romantic in you, slow things down a bit with an impressive 1.5 mile (2.4 km) Formula One-inspired a Gondola Ride at The Venetian. Accompanied by sing- racetrack complete with 12 sweeping turns, 15 degree ing gondoliers, this leisurely tour takes you along the banked turns, 60 feet of total elevation change and a quarter-mile replica of the Grand Canal in Venice. Just half-mile straightaway. In addition, the 20,000 square down the street, you’ll discover another romantic Ital- www.lvbol.co – 1 – BOWL MEDIA GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS Las Vegas Bowl Committee 1 Las Vegas Bowl Quick Facts 1 Las Vegas Bowl Game Notes 2-4 Las Vegas Bowl Timeline 5 Las Vegas Bowl Contacts 6 Broadcast Information 7 Bowl Week Schedule of Events 8 2016 LAS VEGAS BOWL COMMITTEE Media Advisories 9-15 Gameday Timeline 16 Executive Director: Dan Hanneke Media Guidelines 17 John Saccenti Tim Herbst Media Information 18-19 President: Derrick Hill Media Parking Map 20 Rob Dondero Patrick Hughes Stadium & Press Box Layout 21 2016 Game Chair: Herb Hunter San Diego State Coaching Staff 22 Don Logan Steve Keith San Diego State Numerical Roster 23 Rossi Ralenkotter, LVCVA Jesse Leeds Houston Coaching Staff 24 Francisco Aguilar Jim Livengood Houston Numerical Roster 25 D.J. Allen Jennifer Logan The Mountain West Conference 26 Branan Allison Michael Mack The American Athletic Conference 27 Lawrence Barnard Napoleon McCallum Regular-Season Team Stats 28 Tony Bonnici Kerry McGonigal Tentative Depth Charts 29 Jude Bricker Joe Micatrotto Jr. Pronunciation Guide 30 Chad Brown Joe Murphy Sam Boyd Stadium 31 Kevin Camper Tim O’Reilly Las Vegas Bowl Hall of Fame 33-33 Jason Cheney Tony Renaud LAS VEGAS BOWL RECORD BOOK John Dalrymple Mike Rowland All-Time Results/Title Sponsors/MVPs 34 Julian Dugas George Smith Individual Records 35-37 Cliff Findlay Steve Stallworth Team Records 38-40 Justin Findlay Jeff Victor The Last Time... 41 Michael Goldsmith Thomas Wagner Game Recaps 42-65 John Guedry Melissa Warren This is Las Vegas 66 BOWL QUICK FACTS Date: Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 Kickoff: 12:36 p.m. PST Matchup: San Diego State (Mountain West) Houston (American Athletic) Television: ABC & WatchESPN Radio: Sports USA Location: Las Vegas (Pop. 2 million/Elevation 2,100 feet) Facility: Sam Boyd Stadium (Opened 1971) Capacity: 38,500 for bowl game Surface: Artifcial (SPRINTURF, installed 2015) Press Box Phone: (702) 895-1248 2015 Result: Utah 35, BYU 28 LAS VEGAS BOWL First Result: Bowling Green 35, Nevada 34 in 1992 Offcial Website: www.lvbowl.com ESPN EVENTS (702) 732-3912 Media Relations Mgr.: Mark Wallington (702) 528-6291 John Saccenti, Executive Director Media Hotel: Hard Rock Hotel (702) 693-5000 Melissa Meacham, Associate Manager Credential Pickup: Hard Rock Hotel in Room 30104 on Paulette Rutledge, Offce Manager/Ticketing ground foor of the Paradise Tower.