Utah DL calls BYU 'a dirty team' at Las Vegas Bowl reception

It’s safe to say the Las Vegas Bowl will be a bit more heated than your average bowl game.

This year’s game features rivals Utah and BYU, and at the bowl’s Wednesday night reception, Utah defensive lineman Viliseni Fauonuku made it clear how the Utes feel about their in-state rivals.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Fauonuku was given the microphone to address the crowd in what was supposed to be a friendly dance-off among teammates. But Fauonuku said he doesn’t dance. Instead, he looked toward the BYU team in the crowd.

From the Tribune:

Minutes after announcing that the usual welcome reception dance-off would pit teammate against teammate instead of team against team, to avoid another entry in the annals of BYU-Utah controversy, a Las Vegas Bowl emcee asked the Fremont Street crowd if he should give Utah defensive tackle Viliseni Fauonuku the microphone.

They didn't say no. And so grew the annals.

"Honestly, I don't dance," Fauonuku said, walking over to the corner of the stage and addressing BYU's entire team. "I throw hands."

"BYU, y'all are a good team," he continued. "But you're a dirty team. Don't start nothin', won't be nothin'."

Shots fired!

Here’s video of what Fauonuku had to say:

His teammates, of course, were fired up.

The rivalry, which is nicknamed “The Holy War,” hasn’t been played since 2013 after both schools left the Mountain West – Utah for the Pac-12 and BYU declared independence.

The Utes have won four straight in the series and the game will also be Bronco Mendenhall’s final game as BYU head coach before he leaves for Virginia – so there’s a lot at stake.

For more Utah news, visit Utezone.com.

For more BYU news, visit CougarNation.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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