Bowl roundup Friday’s games

January 3, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

Sugar Bowl

NEW ORLEANS — Utah is the best of the BCS busters. Brian Johnson threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, and the No. 7 Utes upset fourth-ranked Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl 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.

Cotton Bowl

DALLAS — Ole Miss isn’t just the team that handed Florida its only loss. These Rebels are seriously on the rise. Behind Jevan Snead’s passing, Dexter McCluster’s squirming runs and some big returns by Marshay Green, No. 20 Mississippi overcame an early deficit and beat Texas Tech 47-34 in the final Cotton Bowl played in the stadium of the same name. The Red Raiders (11-2) converted a pair of early turnovers into a 14-0 lead, but Snead led the Rebels to touchdowns on their next three drives, followed by a go-ahead field goal shortly before halftime. Once Green returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter, Ole Miss (9-4) was well on its way to capping coach Houston Nutt’s first season in grand style. This was Mississippi’s sixth straight win, matching its longest streak since 2003, when Eli Manning was a senior.

Liberty Bowl

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ventrell Jenkins scooped up a fumble and barreled his 285-pound frame 56 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, helping Kentucky win a program-best third straight bowl game with a 25-19 victory over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl. Kentucky (7-6) never led until Myron Pryor forced a fumble with under 5 minutes left while East Carolina (9-5) was driving. In the mad scramble for the loose ball, Jenkins came up with it and rumbled down the right sideline untouched. Now, coach Rich Brooks has accomplished something even the legendary Bear Bryant couldn’t at Kentucky: end three straight postseasons with a win.

Associated Press