Utah WR Christopher takes swipe at ‘Girlse State’

Now it's getting serious.

One night after a minor skirmish between Boise State and Utah players, Utes wide receiver DeVonte Christopher egged on the Broncos on Monday.

Christopher, a Canyon Springs High School graduate, posted on Twitter: "I can't wait to get out here wit these Boise State or should I say Girlse State they a bunch of cheerleaders...lol."

"LOL," for those who don't know, is Internet shorthand for "laugh out loud."

But the 10th-ranked Broncos probably won't be laughing when they meet No. 20 Utah at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium.

It should, in fact, be serious on both sides after what happened Sunday night.

The bowl provided massages for players at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip.

But the room was small, and opposing players began pushing and shoving during a brief skirmish.

"If we ate dinner with other teams, I think the same thing would happen," Utah defensive end Christian Cox said. "We've both been in similar situations in terms of BCS notoriety. They're probably very frustrated that they're in Vegas when they could've been in the BCS or arguably the national championship.

"I love it. I think it's great. If you want to talk, show it on the field."

The Broncos' 34-31 overtime loss at UNR on Nov. 26 knocked them out of contention for a Bowl Championship Series game.

"A little more tension in the air, but I think guys are ready to play anyway," Boise State nickel back Winston Venable said.

■ HOMECOMING -- Boise State defensive junior tackle Billy Winn, a Las Vegas High product, expects about 60 family members and friends at the game.

His great-grandmother, who will be part of the contingent, has never seen Winn play in person for the Broncos.

"For her to have the opportunity to come to this game, she's going to have a blast," Winn said. "She'll love seeing her grandson out there playing football."

■ HISTORY REPEATING? -- The last notable running back from Las Vegas to end his college career in his home city was Oregon State's Steven Jackson, a former Eldorado High star.

Jackson, now the all-time leading rusher for the St. Louis Rams, ran for 149 yards and scored five touchdowns in a 55-14 rout of New Mexico in the 2003 Las Vegas Bowl.

"That would be nice to get five touchdowns," said Utah's Eddie Wide, a Cimarron-Memorial High product. "I'm excited about it."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.