In what could be the biggest story of the college bowl season, Utah beat Alabama 31-17 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Friday night in New Orleans.
Utah finished the season 13-0 and has a case to be lifted into the Top 5 of all of college football.
Chants of "We're No. 1, we're No. 1" were ringing down from the Utah fans. And why not? The Utes will be the only undefeated team in Division I-A, or whatever they call it now, and beat the team that was No. 1 for five weeks this season. And beat them rather soundly.
I know where I'm going to vote us,
said Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham. No. 1
Utah quarterback Brian Johnson, the game's most outstanding player, had a great game, going 27-of-41 for 336 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target was Freddie Brown, who had 12 catches for 125 yards.
The Utes dominated Alabama when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter, with 11:29 in time of possession. They also dominated in the first quarter, when they jumped out to a 21-0 lead.
We got off to a very poor start in the game,
said Alabama Coach Nick Saban. We didn't get it done like we need to get it done. I'm responsible for that. We weren't ready to play today. I don't know why. And they were an outstanding football team. I said they were an outstanding football team a thousand times.
Alabama, which finished 12-2, lost its final two games -- against Florida, which runs a spread offense of Urban Meyer, and then Utah, which runs at least a version of Meyer's offense, under former Meyer assistant coach Kyle Whittingham. Whittingham just got a new contract with a raise to more than $1.2 million earlier in the week.
Saban had said after the Crimson Tide lost to Florida in the SEC championship game that his team was the only one to go 12-0 (which they were until they lost to Florida) in a real BCS conference.
After the game, Saban backtracked a little: I apologize if anyone was offended by that. I have a great deal of respect for the Utah team. If that's what gave them all of intensity, then I'm responsible, and I'm responsible for the way we played. I guess 'm responsible for the whole kit and kaboodle, is what it sounds like to me.
For his part, Whittingham said it wasn't something that came up with his talks to the team. But team members, did think about it.
From my perspective, I was angry,
Johnson said. I think we went out there and played with a chip on our shoulder. We knew we had a chance to win this football game.
The rest of the game updates
It might be over yet, 5:13 4Q
Sean Smith sacked John Parker Wilson, causing a fumble that the Utes recovered at the 27 yard line. After being assessed a 15-yard penalty for celebrating, Utah took over at the 42.
That's where it got fun. On third-and-6, Utah ran a trick play -- a pass to Freddie Brown, a lateral back to Brent Casteel to get a first down at the 22. Alabama defender Javier Arenas hit Casteel out of bounds, adding 10 more yards. This is a play straight from the Urban Meyer playbook. And, well, it's not surprising, Utes coach Kyle Whittingham was an assistant under Meyer at Utah and probably got some tips from his old boss and current Florida Gators coach on how to beat Alabama.
To put the finishing touches on the drive, Louie Sakoda hit a 28-yard field goal to give the Utes a 31-17 lead with 2:49 remaining.
Not over yet, 5:46 4Q
Utah had a drive going, but Alabama stiffened, and takes over at its 31, after a 1q5-yard fair catch interference penalty on the Utes on the punt. With just less than six minutes remaining in the game, the possessions are getting more urgent.
The Crimson Tide needs points on this drive.
Two times the fortune, but no points, 14:09 4Q
The second fortunate event for Alabama happened when punter P.J. Fitzgerald pinned Utah at its 1-yard line after a 51-yard punt.
Alabama got its first fortunate event when it when a pass interference was called against Utah defensive back Brice McCain on a pass from John Parker Wilson to Earl Alexander in the closing seconds of the third quarter. Replays showed McCain didn't touch Alexander.
Another hooked Bama field goal 4:21 3Q
Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin is having a rough night. He missed his second field goal of the night just moments ago by missing left. Again.
This time it was a 49-yard try to try to get the Crimson Tide within eight points of surging Utah. He had the distance, but wasn't accurate and Utah is still leading 28-17.
Utes strike back, 10:04 3Q
On the first play from scrimmage after the Bama touchown, Brian Johnson hit Freddie Brown for 33 yards, and Alabama coach Nick Saban spint down the sideline to scream at defensive back Kareem Jackson, who missed a tackle on the play.
The announcement was just made with 11:05 remaining that Alabama back up left tackle Mike Johnson would not return to the game.
The Utes responded with a drive that looked a lot like their first offensive series of the game. They moved down the field with quick strikes.
Utah scored when Johnson hit David Reed with a 28 yard pass. Reed broke the tackle of Jackson, who was once again screamed at by Saban.
Tide turns. Literally, 11:41 3Q
It took right at three minutes for Alabama to take advantage of Utah's turnover. John Parker Wilson hit Glen Coffee for a short touchdown, and now it's on.
Suddenly an Alabama team that was pushed around and dominated in the first quarter is back in the game. Now we'll see what Utah is made of.
Turning point?, 14:15 3Q
So this is how things can turn. Utah quarterback Brandon Johnson's arm was hit by Dont'a Hightower, causing a fumble that was recovered by Bobby Greenwood. It was reviewed because it appeared Johnson's arm was going forward. The refs didn't conclude it was enough to overturn the call on the field.
Mistakes and turnovers are the two things the Utes cannot afford if they want to win the game.
Starting in the hole, 15:00 3Q
Alabama was assessed a personal foul penalty on Marquis Mays on the last play of the first half, so it had to kick off from the 15 yard line to start the second half.
Utah up 21-10, halftime
The Utes are one half away from making a case to be talked about with the elite. The undefeated Utah team is leading 21-10 at the half and, even though Alabama came alive a little in the second quarter, still seems to be in control.
Utes quarterback Brian Johnson has 181 yards passing with two touchdowns. Freddie Brown has been his favorite target, catching seven passes for 54 yards.
John Parker Wilson is 9-of-16 for 112 yards and an interception and Glen Coffee has been held to 28 yards on eight carries.
The Bama defense slowed the attacking Utes offense some in the second quarter, but if it wasn't for Javier Arenas' punt return, Utah would still be well in control.
This first half has either been an indictment on the Southeastern Conference, if the Crimson Tide is truly the second best team in the league, or on the pollsters, who had the Utes ranked No. 6. If Utah can win this game, it should move into the Top 5 in all polls. But we've got another half to play yet, and Alabama did put up some big numbers in a couple games this season.
Not this time: Bama misses field goal, 6:42 2Q
Leigh Tiffin, the Alabama kicker, couldn't get this long one through the uprights, making it the fourth fruitless Crimson Tide drive of the game. Tiffin's kicks aren't looking strong, even though he hit a long one about seven minutes ago. This field goal was shorter -- a 47-yard attempt, but it went wide left of the uprights.
The good news for Tide fans is the run is back on track. The bad news is the offensive line gave up yet another sack on the series. Every time Alabama gets in Utah territory and gets the offense cranked up, a sack destroys the momentum and makes the team settle for field goal attempts.
I doubt the Tide will be able to come back on the fire of field goals.
Bama scores its first touchdown, punt return style 5:28 2Q
Javier Arenas erased some of the Tide frustration and has got the Dome crowd rowdy again after returning one of the longest punt in the history of the Sugar Bowl for a touchdown. He bursted through several tight holes enroute to the 73-yard touchdown. It's Bama's first touchdown of the game and cuts the Utah lead to 21-10.
Bama on the board. Barely. 14:55 2Q
Leigh Tiffin's 52-yard field goal didn't look promising. It was low and weak, but just cleared the uprights to give Bama its only points thus far. Now it's 21-3 Utah and those Utes are on the drive again.
Shocking Utes first quarter.
Wow.
The first quarter just ended and this Alabama-fan stuffed Superdome is incredulous. Utah not only has mounted a 21-0 lead on quick, painful gashes, but the Utes have completely disrupted the strength of the Tide's team: the offensive line.
The line has allowed three sacks, including the last one that put John Parker Wilson on his back for an 11-yard loss. False starts are frequent and this Bama offense cannot gain momentum.
And it's another swift score for Utah and a 21-0 lead. Alabama is still on its heels after the Utes' seven plays, 65-yard-yard that took up 1:57. Bradon Godfrey caught this touchdown pass -- an 18-yarder from Brian Johnson. He broke off Alabama's Mark Barron and scored with 4:01 left in the first quarter.
The woes continue for Alabama, who minutes earlier lost offensive tackle Mike Johnson to an ankle injury. He's the guy filling in for Andre Smith, who was suspended for alleged agent involvement earlier in the week. The Crimson Tide keeps working to re-tool this line, but hasn't been able to sustain a drive yet.
Before fans could get comfy in their seats, Utah turned its critics on their heels --- not to mention the Crimson Tide.
Utah stunned Alabama on its first possesion with a no-huddle offense that marched 68 yards in five crisp plays, ending with Brent Casteel's 7-yard touchdown catch from Brian Johnson. It isn't the first time Utah's gone to no-huddle. Utah had to use it to come back in two games this season including against TCU, but it's the first time they've used it on an opening series.
The Utes quickly scored again when Robert Johnson intercepted a pass to give Utah a start in Crimson Tide territory.
Matt Asiata finished that drive with a 2-yard plunge. Suddenly, Utah is leading this game 14-0 and about eight minutes remain in the first quarter.
