Liberty Utah's 10th bowl

More than any other trip, Utah's 10th bowl appearance mirrors its first journey 65 years ago. For just the second time in program history and first since their debut, the Utes are going bowling as an outright conference champion. In 1938, they played in the Sun Bowl as the Big Seven champs.

An additional opportunity was presented in 1941, but Utah's trip to the Pineapple Bowl in Hawaii was canceled because of the attack on Pearl Harbor. A decade later, the Skyline Conference champion Utes turned down invitations to both the Pineapple and Sun bowls.

The drought — Utah didn't go to a bowl in 1957, when it won its last outright title prior to 2003 — will come to an end on New Year's Eve in Memphis.

The distinction of conference champion is one the 25th-ranked Utes proudly carry — especially in a season where they were picked to finish fifth in preseason polls.

"A lot of teams looked down on us in the beginning," wide receiver Paris Warren said. "Now they see who the best team really is in this conference."

With Southern Miss claiming the Conference USA title outright, the Liberty is getting exactly what it bargained for in its current agreement with the leagues — a matchup of champions going head-to-head.

A look at the bowl history of both teams:

UTAH

1938 SUN BOWL: Ray Peterson scored two touchdowns, including one on a 60-yard interception return, as Utah blanked New Mexico 26-0 in El Paso.

1946 PINEAPPLE BOWL: Hawaii knocked a pass out of Utah's hands in the end zone as time expired as the host team claimed a 19-16 decision in Honolulu.

1964 LIBERTY BOWL: All-American Roy Jefferson made two field goals and halfback Ron Coleman rushed for 154 yards as Utah blasted West Virginia 32-6 in the first major bowl game ever played indoors. A national television audience watched the contest played at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

1992 COPPER BOWL: It took a little time for Utah to shake off a 28-year bowl drought. Washington State held on for a 31-28 win in Tucson after building a 21-0 advantage in the first quarter.

1993 FREEDOM BOWL: Another slow start doomed the Utes. Though they eventually rallied, a four-touchdown deficit proved too great in a 28-21 loss to USC in Anaheim.

1994 FREEDOM BOWL: Freshman Kevin Dyson hauled in a late 5-yard touchdown pass from Mike McCoy on fourth down as the Utes slipped past Arizona 16-13 in Anaheim. Cal Beck set up the game-winning score by returning a kickoff 72 yards.

1996 COPPER BOWL: Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne rushed for 246 yards and three touchdowns as the Badgers hammered the Utes 38-10 in Tucson. Utah was intercepted four times in the lopsided affair.