Emerald Bowl 'thrilled' to extend Utes invite

It remains to be seen if the Utes leave their heart in San Francisco. What is known, however, is they're happy to be headed there.

Utah enthusiastically accepted an invitation to the Emerald Bowl at a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Smith Athletics Center. The Utes (6-5) will face a yet-to-be determined opponent Dec. 29 at SBC Park (2:30 p.m., ESPN), the bayside home of the San Francisco Giants.

"We're pleased, we're thrilled actually, to invite the University of Utah to the Emerald Bowl," said executive director Gary Cavalli. "It's a strong program with a great tradition."

The Utes, he added, are a well-known commodity after busting into the Bowl Championship Series last season. A strong alumni base, the drafting of Alex Smith by the San Francisco 49ers and 33 players from California also impressed the Emerald Bowl's selection committee.

"We think we're catching Utah on a high, while everybody is excited," Cavalli said. "Hopefully that will translate into bringing a lot of people to the bowl in San Francisco."

It's a hope that Utah athletics director Chris Hill shares. In the current climate of collegiate sports, he explained, support is crucial.

"We want to have a big red crowd like we had last year at our bowl game," said Hill, who noted that Emerald Bowl tickets are already available for purchase. "We're thrilled with the location. We're thrilled with the time. It's a chance for us to enjoy a great city."

Though the $750,000 payday and national spotlight is greatly reduced from last season's trip to the Fiesta Bowl, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the Utes may end up appreciating the Emerald Bowl even more.

"Last year, as great as it was, was like a fairy tale season," he explained. "We had to kick, scratch and claw for everything we got this year."

Utah needed a win over BYU Saturday to become bowl eligible. Despite playing without injured stars Brian Johnson and John Madsen, the Utes met the challenge and prevailed 41-34 in overtime.

"This football team definitely deserves to go to a bowl game," Whittingham said. "I couldn't be more thrilled for our seniors to go out on this note."

Senior captains Jesse Boone and Steve Fifita are grateful to extend their careers at Utah.

"I'm just happy to be going to a bowl," said Fifita, who is eager to face a team from a heralded conference.