Although Utah's bowl history the past decade is one of success, the Utes on Thursday didn't look much like the 2003, 2004 and 2005 bowl teams that started hot and never let up. Last season, in the Armed Forces Bowl, they did about what they needed — and that's all — in defeating Tulsa. This year, though, there didn't seem to be that much left in the tank. Navy lost two fumbles in the first half-quarter, and the Utes failed to capitalize. Meanwhile, quarterback Brian Johnson threw an interception.

It seemed for a time the Utes were doomed to lose, particularly when All-American kicker Louie Sakoda shanked two punts.

They finally built an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter and seemed to have the game in hand. But a Navy touchdown and two-point conversion kept it interesting. Each team scored again, Utah's coming with just 1:27 to go, giving the Utes a 35-25 lead.

But things were just getting started.

Navy struck with a 58-yard touchdown with 57 seconds remaining, closing Utah's lead to 35-32, then completed an onside kick. But Joe Dale's interception ended the suspense with 26 seconds to go.

The Utes were still as unbeatable in winter as ever.

"We fought through some adversity," said Whittingham. "We're 5-0 in bowl games (the last five years), seven straight bowl games. Hey, let's keep it going."

As if they could do anything different.

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