It's go time — Weddle, Utes look to keep bowl streak alive today against Tulsa

FORT WORTH, Texas — On the eve of his final game with the Utes, All-American cornerback Eric Weddle is steadfast in his determination not to dwell on it.

"I'm refusing to even think about it because I don't like to look back," Weddle said. "I'll look back when I'm done playing and relish what I did, but now it's not over yet."

The two-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year leads Utah into today's Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (6 p.m., ESPN) against Tulsa.

Weddle is seeking to cap his career with a fourth consecutive bowl victory and in the process extend Utah's overall streak to six straight postseason wins.

"I'm excited. It's not bittersweet. It's a sweet moment for myself. I've loved every minute being on this team," Weddle said. "I'll be sad that I'm leaving, but that's every relationship and everything you go through. You're going to leave. I've realized that.

"It's nothing more than me moving on and these guys going in the right direction," he added. "I just want to continue that."

Leaving the Utes on a winning note is important to Weddle.

"Personally, I could do nothing or I could do a lot as long as we get a win and we continue our bowl streak," he explained. "Momentum is huge in the offseason. I've never been part of a bowl loss, but it's great to know you did something right at the end of the year. It just makes you work that much harder."

Thus, beating Tulsa is what Weddle and the Utes are all about. Winning is the bottom line.

"No question. He's a team guy. There's been games where he has just played phenomenal, we haven't come out on top and he's just dejected," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He's a consummate team player. More than anything else, all he wants to get is the 'W.'"

The Utes (7-5) are still smarting from a bitter 33-31 loss to BYU in the regular-season finale on Nov. 25.

"We practiced very well and we're excited to have the opportunity to play again," Whittingham said. "Obviously the last thing you want to do is be sitting home in December and watching other people prepare and play in bowl games. We're excited to be here."

Whittingham noted that Tulsa (8-4) is a great team and he expects a competitive game.

So, too, does Utah offensive lineman Tavo Tupola.