New Orleans » In addition to celebrating the Sugar Bowl win Friday, the Utah Utes celebrated their bowl winning streak of 8-0. Celebrated it and credited it as well. The Utes believe the experience in the past bowl games as well as the motivation to keep it going helped them beat Alabama Friday.
"It means something to us," linebacker Mike Wright said. "We wanted to keep that going."
Utah's 18 seniors started their career with a win in the Fiesta Bowl, but only Brian Johnson played in that game. More had a key part Friday as they closed their careers with another BCS win.
"That is a special group of guys," defender Koa Misi said. "We wanted to make sure we sent them out the right way with another BCS win."
The Utes had 41 days off since their last game, a length of time that had some worried the Utes might lose their edge. However, Utah stuck to its tried and true bowl preparation schedule and it paid off, said outgoing defensive coordinator Gary Andersen .
"We've obviously got a good formula going," he said.
Goodbyes
Andersen and coach Kyle Whittingham shared a long hug goodbye as they were drenched in Gatorade. Andersen is leaving to become Utah State's next head coach while offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is leaving to become Kansas State's next offensive coordinator.
"Saying goodbye is never easy," Andersen said. "This was especially a special group of guys. I knew it was going to be hard."
Misidentified, again
If it wasn't bad enough for the Utes to see T-shirts and hats on the streets of New Orleans that proclaimed the Utes were from the WAC and not the MWC, some of Utah's fans were given banners and clappers that had 'Utes' spelled 'Uthes.' Organizers didn't pass out anymore of the items after realizing the mistake.
In the stands
Utah had an estimated 10,000 in attendance. The small but loud crowd made their presence known, sometimes in some creative ways. During warmups they serenaded Alabama's players with chants of " Urban Meyer " and when an Alabama field goal kicker missed during warmups, they chanted "Louie, Louie."...The announced attendance was a sellout of 72,000. However, there were an estimated 2,000-plus tickets that went unsold out of Utah's 17,500 allotment, the cost of which must be covered by the Utes.
Rare occasion
Javier Arenas ' 73-yard punt return for a TD was the first by a Utah opponent since 2001. Entering the game, opponents had returned nine Louie Sakoda punts for only 28 yards this season. Arenas entered the game as the nation's 13th-ranked punt returner averaging 14.4 yards a return. Friday's was his third returned for a touchdown this season and the fourth-longest by an Alabama player in a bowl game.
