Yellow Jackets know how to win bowl games

When Utah meets Georgia Tech Thursday afternoon in the Emerald Bowl, the Utes will more than have their hands full.

Not only is Georgia Tech ranked No. 24 in the country with road wins over Miami when it was ranked No. 3 and Auburn when it was ranked No. 16, but it also is the most successful program in the country when it comes to bowl games.

The Georgia Institute of Technology, as it is officially known, has compiled an impressive 22-11 record over the past 76 years, a .667 percentage that is better than storied programs such as USC, Penn State and Oklahoma, which rank second, third and fourth all time.

It is one of six schools to play in bowl games each of the past nine years. In their last two bowl appearances, the Yellow Jackets have beaten their opponents by a combined score of 103-24.

That's why every Ute coach and player you ask repeats the same mantra that Georgia Tech is the best team Utah will face all year "by far."

"That's a quality football team," said Ute coach Kyle Whittingham. "They are a heckuva lot better football team than we faced last year in the Fiesta Bowl."

The strength of the team is the defense, which ranks in the top 20 in the nation in six categories, including total defense (10), rushing defense (11), pass efficiency (14), scoring defense (16), interceptions (7) and turnover margin (17).

They are led by a trio of all-ACC selections in defensive end Eric Henderson, linebacker Gerris Wilkinson and safety Dawan Landry. Henderson has 6.5 sacks on the year, Wilkinson leads the team in tackles with 78, while Landry made four interceptions and is the third best tackler on the team.

"No question, they're the best defense we've seen this year," said Ute offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. "They're a pro style, zone pressure football team. They like to rush five at the quarterback, play three in a deep zone with three underneath defenders. And they're very good at it."

The Yellow Jackets are particularly good against the run, allowing just 98 yards per game, less than Ute running back Quinton Ganther averages all by himself (100 yards per game).

Ludwig says the Ute offense must accomplish three main goals against the tough Georgia Tech defense: run the football effectively; protect the passer; and don't turn the ball over.