Utah Upsets 'Bama in Sugar Bowl

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 2, 2009 11:27 PM CST
Utah Upsets 'Bama in Sugar Bowl
Utah wide receiver David Reed (16) breaks away in the second half of their NCAA football game in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Utah is the best of the BCS busters, the AP reports. Brian Johnson threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, and the No. 7 Utes upset fourth-ranked Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl on tonight to finish 13-0. With the victory, Utah became the first team from a non-BCS conference to win two BCS bowls.

Johnson's pinpoint passing led Utah to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and the Utes refused to wilt when Alabama pulled to 21-17 early in the second half. Utah's defense was equally impressive, intercepting John Parker Wilson twice and sacking him eight times, with the seventh sack forcing a fumble that sent crimson-clad Alabama fans streaming for the exits with just more than five minutes to go. (More Sugar Bowl stories.)

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