The University of Central Florida will likely lose money on the trip to its first bowl game appearance, but considers the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl a winning experience, officials and players say.

The 8-4 Golden Knights, Conference USA runners-up, will play Western Athletic Conference co-champion Nevada (8-3) in the Dec. 24 game at Aloha Stadium.

With a national cable audience, "I think it is bigger than just our football team, it is an opportunity to show everyone how our school is on the rise," said wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

"We like to think we're one of the best-kept secrets in Florida, perhaps in the eastern part of the U.S., and this season has given us some opportunities to give an accounting of what we have become," said Karl Mooney, UCF senior associate to the athletic director. "This game provides us with an opportunity to let America see just what we're about."

With an eight-day, 9,506-mile round trip, "Financially speaking, it is probably a losing proposition for us," Mooney said. He said he wasn't yet sure of how much in the red the Golden Knights might go. "We're still crunching the numbers."

Mooney said chartering a plane that will bring the 253-member party here will cost in excess of $500,000. Conference USA will underwrite much of the costs as it has done for its previous representatives, Tulane, Houston and Alabama-Birmingham.

"Conference USA is aware of the cost of traveling to Hawai'i, particularly from the East Coast, the farthest extent of the conference, and will attempt to help visiting schools," Mooney said.

Meanwhile, a Nevada spokesman said the school expects to "break even" on its costs, which include $225,000 in airfare for its 87 players, plus coaches, staff and official party.

"The WAC basically pays for (the airfare) and $400,000 is what we basically have for our hotel and ground transportation, meals and other incidental bowl expenses (from the conference)," said sports information director Jamie Klund.

"We're not gonna cheat the kids out of anything," Klund added. "We're going to make sure this is a real good, positive experience for them and the coaches but we're gonna be frugal; we're not gonna be extravagant. We're watching our expenses."

UCF athletic director Steve Orsini said: "This is another step forward in our very young athletic program, especially our football program, to be able to say that we've gone to a bowl, we've gone to the Hawai'i Bowl."

NOTES

Nevada coach Chris Ault said he won't just be looking at the scenery when he gets here. "There are some fine players over there. We're going to enjoy the sights, but I'd rather do some recruiting," Ault said. At least four recruits from Hawai'i have been invited to attend practices.

The Reno Gazette Journal reported that Ault has earned $25,000 in bonuses for winning a conference title and getting into a bowl. Ault said he will split the money — he wasn't sure how much he qualified for — among his assistant coaches.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.