Utes find a way to finish

SAN DIEGO — Brian Johnson had a simple explanation for Utah's 35-32 victory over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl.

"We found a way to win," he said.

Though it wasn't easy, and at times it wasn't pretty, the Utes did manage to get the job done — even if the outcome was in doubt until the closing seconds.

"We knew they were a team that fights to the finish. The coaches challenged us to finish," Utah receiver Brian Hernandez said. "We knew it would be a fight all four quarters, and we finished."

Turns out, the Utes had to.

Despite holding a 10-point lead with less than one minute to play, they had to hang on down the stretch — weathering a late 58-yard touchdown pass from Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada to Zerb Singleton, a successful onside kick by the Midshipmen and a failed fourth-down bid to score from the 1-yard line.

"We had a chance," Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. "Their guys made plays. We weren't able to finish."

Johnson led the way for Utah. He was named offensive MVP after completing 20-of-25 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 69 yards and a score.

"Brian Johnson did a great job" Whittingham said. "(He) took the game over single-handedly in the second half."

Johnson guided the Utes to three consecutive touchdown drives after Navy took a 17-7 advantage early in the third quarter. The outburst put Utah ahead for good.

"We kept taking what they were giving us," Johnson said. "It worked out well for us."

The Utes finished with 451 yards of total offense and 26 first downs. Darrell Mack wound up with 76 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Hernandez topped the receiving corps with a game-high five catches.

"We went in trying to keep their offense off the sideline to chew the clock," said Whittingham, whose team won the time-of-possession battle by more than five minutes. "But that's really not our style. We just cut loose in the second half."

It allowed Utah to overcome a halftime deficit for the first time since 2002. The Utes had lost nine straight games when trailing at the break.

"We needed to open things up and throw the football," Whittingham said. "The difference was the way the offense responded in the second half."