Playing tough defense in bowls has become a tradition for Utes

When it comes to bowl games, Utah gets a little defensive.

Check that. The Utes get very defensive. They've won six consecutive bowl games while holding the opposition to limited success on third- and fourth-down conversions. Opponents have succeeded on just 27-of-99 attempts.

"I think it's a combination of things. I think we've been playing pretty good defense as the season has gone on through the years," defensive coordinator Gary Andersen said. "I think we kind of gain momentum defensively as the year goes on, but our ability to prepare and to give people a lot of looks, I think, is a big advantage that we have as we prepare for bowl games."

Utah's current 6-0 bowl roll is laced with stellar defensive performances.

In last year's 25-13 win over Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl, All-American Eric Weddle recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass for the Utes. He contributed six tackles to a defense that stopped the Golden Hurricane on third-down nine times.

Weddle also shined in the 2005 Emerald Bowl. He earned defensive MVP honors in the 38-0 victory over Georgia Tech by holding highly touted wide receiver Calvin Johnson to just two catches for 19 yards. Steve Tate finished with a team-high 10 tackles and had a 45-yard interception return.

Less than a year earlier, Utah's defense excelled on a national stage by sacking Pittsburgh a record nine times in a 35-7 triumph in the Fiesta Bowl. Steve Fifita was named the Defensive Player of the Game after combining with Weddle and Tommy Hackenbruck to make 26 tackles and five sacks.

Utah's 17-0 win over Southern Miss in the 2003 Liberty Bowl also featured a strong showing by the defense. The Utes made 10 tackles-for-loss and recovered four fumbles, including one that Morgan Scalley returned 74 yards for a touchdown. Lewis Powell was named defensive MVP with two fumble recoveries.

The Utes' first two victories in the nation's second-longest active bowl streak took place in Las Vegas. In a 17-16 win over Fresno State in 1999, they stopped the Bulldogs 10 times on third-down and twice on fourth. Andre Dyson broke up a pass on fourth-and-7 to end Fresno State's final drive.

Two years later, Utah stuck it to Carson Palmer and USC — prevailing 10-6. The Utes held the Trojans to just 1 yard rushing and 151 yards of total offense. Utah made nine tackles-for-loss and five sacks by game's end. USC won the national championship the next season and Palmer picked up the Heisman Trophy.