On second down from the Alabama 2, the Utes showed they were serious. Alabama's Terrence Cody, a 6-5, 365-pound nose tackle, was buried at the point of attack as Utah running back Matt Asiata bashed into the end zone.

The news got worse for Alabama when left tackle Mike Johnson left the game in the first quarter with a right ankle injury and did not return.

The Crimson Tide's third possession ended in a punt, and Utah went right back to work with a seven-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that took 1:57.

Johnson passed 18 yards to Godfrey for a touchdown, and the extra-point kick made the score 21-0.

Alabama needed a big play to get back in contention, and it got one from punt returner Javier Arenas. Trailing by 21-3, Arenas returned a poor kick from Utah's Sakoda 73 yards for a touchdown and the Tide trailed, 21-10.

Alabama got a break on Utah's first play of the third quarter when Johnson fumbled and the Tide recovered at the Utah 30.

Alabama scored seven plays later on a 4-yard pass from Wilson to Glen Coffee and Leigh Tiffin's kick made the score 21-17.

The Crimson Tide and its crowd were revved up, but Utah had an obstinate response as the Utes went 71 yards for a touchdown and led, 28-17. Johnson threw a short pass to Reed, who shook off the tackle of defensive back Kareem Jackson to complete a 28-yard scoring pass on third-and-10.

Saban did not berate his team on the sideline for most of the game, but he did erupt early in the fourth quarter at Johnson. Utah was backed up at its 2-yard line and faced third-and-9 when Johnson allowed the Utes' Brown plenty of room to catch a pass for 13 yards to get Utah out of the hole.

When the Utes had to punt, Saban fumed again, this time at Arenas, who let a low punt roll dead at the Alabama 12-yard line. The Tide had squandered a huge field position edge, and it cost them the game.