Brian Johnson threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns.
Football Home HEADLINES Late Morning Kickoff for 2009 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Senate Judiciary Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on BCS Three MWC Football Players Represented on 2009 Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List RELATED LINKS • Follow all of the college football action at CollegeSports.com • Email this to a friend

Sugar Bowl Champions!

Utah finished a spectacular undefeated season with a win over fourth-ranked Alabama.

Jan. 2, 2009

Final Stats

Brian Johnson threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, and the No. 7 Utes upset fourth-ranked Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl on Friday night to finish 13-0.

With the victory, Utah became the first team from a non-BCS conference to win two BCS bowls.

Johnson's pinpoint passing led Utah to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and the Utes refused to wilt when Alabama pulled to 21-17 early in the second half.

Utah's defense was equally impressive, intercepting John Parker Wilson twice and sacking him eight times, with the seventh sack forcing a fumble that sent crimson-clad Alabama fans streaming for the exits with just more than five minutes to go.

After surging to No. 1 in the rankings with a 12-0 regular season, Alabama closed the season with two consecutive losses, the first against Florida in the Southeastern Conference championship game.