This time, the 11-point gap held firm. In fact, Utah's lead even grew.

The Utes added a 28-yard field goal by Louie Sakoda with 2:49 remaining. The kick allowed them to match Florida's output in the SEC title game for the most points allowed by Alabama this season.

Utah jumped out to a 21-0 advantage in the first quarter.

After forcing Alabama to punt on the game's initial series, the Utes used a no-huddle offense and five consecutive completions by Johnson to take an early lead. A 7-yard scoring strike to Brent Casteel, who dove into the end zone near the left sideline, capped off a sequence that included receptions by Jereme Brooks, Darrell Mack, Bradon Godfrey and Freddie Brown, who finished the game with 12 catches for 125 yards.

"We practice no-huddle quite a bit and obviously we work it every week," said Brown. "I feel like we're one of the best two-minute teams in the country, if not the best."

Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig acknowledged it was great.

The drive, however, almost didn't happen. Casteel misjudged the game's first punt and the ball bounced into the air. Fortunately for Utah, it landed in the hands of Utah teammate R.J. Rice and the Utes took over at their own 32.

Leading 7-0 after Sakoda added the PAT, Utah's defense thwarted Alabama's ensuing possession. Safety Robert Johnson intercepted a pass by Wilson and returned it the Crimson Tide 32, where the Utes embarked upon another five-play march into the end zone.

This one, though, wasn't as sharp. Only two plays made positive yardage — a 30-yard, third-down pass from Brian Johnson to Reed and a 2-yard touchdown run by Matt Asiata.

The latter was followed by another exchange of success by the Utes before the quarter was complete. A third-down sack of Wilson by linebacker Kepa Gaison forced the Crimson Tide to punt the ball away.

Utah responded with its third straight scoring drive. The Utes picked up three first downs on a seven-play series that covered 65 yards and took only 1:17 off the clock. Bradon Godfrey scored the touchdown off an 18-yard throw from Brian Johnson.

When the quarter was finished, Utah held wide edges in total offense (150-43) and first downs (9-4). The Utes finalized their early dominance with an 11-yard sack of Wilson by Kenape Eliapo on the final play.

That forced Alabama to attempt a 52-yard field goal on the opening play of the second quarter, and Leigh Tiffin connected to put the Crimson Tide on the board. They cut the deficit again almost 9 1/2 minutes later when Javier Arenas returned a Utah punt 73 yards for a touchdown. Tiffin followed with the extra point, closing the gap to 21-10.

The halftime margin could have been closer, but a 47-yard field goal attempt by Tiffin earlier in the quarter was wide left. He also missed a 49-yarder in the third quarter.

E-mail: dirk@desnews.com