Utah Utes football: Sugar Bowl game at a glance

Player of the game

Brian Johnson

The senior QB capped his Utah career in style, completing 27-of-41 passes for 336 yards and three TDs. Utah won 21 of his last 22 starts.

Play of the game

After Alabama cut the Utes' lead to 21-17 early in the third quarter, Utah responded with a touchdown drive of its own, scoring on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Brian Johnson to David Reed.

Key call

Utah's decision to use a no-huddle offense on its first series paid off handsomely. Quarterback Brian Johnson completed all five passes he attempted, including a 7-yard scoring strike to Brent Casteel.

Quotable

"We had a little chip on our shoulder, everybody doubting us." - Stevenson Sylvester, Utah linebacker

Up next

VS. UTAH STATE

When: Sept. 5, 2009

Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium

Update: Coming off their BCS-busting, unbeaten 2008 season, the Utes open their 2009 campaign by facing former defensive coordinator Gary Andersen in his head-coaching debut with the Aggies.