2011 Sun Bowl, Georgia Tech Vs. Utah: Utes Force El Paso Impasse, Win In OT

Georgia Tech Vs. Utah Recap, Sun Bowl 2011: The Numerical

A look at the stats that mattered in Utah's 30-27 overtime win over Georgia Tech in the Hyundai Sun Bowl, from Tevin Washington's passing, to Shawn Asiata's emergence, to those pesky missed field goals.

Sun Bowl 2011 Final Score: Utah Claims Comeback Victory In Overtime, 30-27

The Utah Utes needed three separate comebacks to make it happen, but they continued a string of bowl excellence with a 30-27 win over Georgia Tech in the 2011 Sun Bowl.

John White ran in Utah's game-winner in overtime from eight yards out, and ran for 115 yards on the day. Jon Hays helped Utah come back from 7-3, 24-10, and 27-24 deficits with his 193 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Utah's resilience helped down a Yellow Jackets that was doomed by its special teams, especially its kickers. The Georgia Tech option attack rolled up 318 rushing yards, with Preston Lyons running for 139 of them, but Justin Moore missed two field goals early and Davis Scully missed a potential game-winner from 48 yards out as time expired in the fourth quarter.

The win runs Utah coach Kyle Whittingham's bowl record to 7-1.

For more on the Sun Bowl, visit Utah blog Block U and Georgia Tech blog From the Rumble Seat, plus SB Nation Atlanta and Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes.

2011 Sun Bowl, Overtime: Utah Rallies To Provide Free Football In El Paso

The 2011 Sun Bowl looked like a Georgia Tech runaway midway through the second half. And then Kyle Whittingham's brilliant-in-bowls Utah squad came back to send the game to overtime.

The Utes didn't stop coming when put down 24-10 in the third quarter. They just rallied in the fourth quarter, with Jon Hays piloting a 71-yard touchdown drive to make it a one-possession game.

Utah also didn't lose heart when one fade to DeVonte Christopher fell short on third down in the red zone with under two minutes to go: the Utes just dialed it up again on the subsequent fourth down, and Hays placed the ball right where Christopher needed it to be for a 28-yard touchdown pass that led to the game being tied at 24-24.

Georgia Tech had a drive of its own up its sleeve, though, and the Yellow Jackets moved into Utah territory to allow David Scully to attempt a game-winning 48-yard field goal. But while it was long enough, the kick stayed wide right, presenting fans in El Paso with a bit more football to watch.

For more on the Sun Bowl, visit Utah blog Block U and Georgia Tech blog From the Rumble Seat, plus SB Nation Atlanta and Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes.

Georgia Tech Vs. Utah Score Update: Yellow Jackets Blowing Up 2011 Sun Bowl In Third Quarter

Georgia Tech has things rolling in the 2011 Sun Bowl, and Tevin Washington is the main reason why. Washington's 31-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Hill gave the Yellow Jackets their first lead of the day in the third quarter, and has given him a rather beautiful stat line on the day: five completions on five attempts for 96 yards and a touchdown, and 135 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Click here for live Sun Bowl stats and score updates.

Jon Hays' response to that touchdown was an interception throwing while hopping that got returned for a touchdown by Georgia Tech's Quayshawn Nealy, whose name is fodder for far too many puns on events and songs from the world of rap in 2011 and who ran it back for 75 yards and six points. Georgia Tech now leads, 24-10, after trailing 10-7 at halftime.

At least it's still sunny, some Utah fan is saying to her husband in the stands at El Paso.

For more on the Sun Bowl, visit Utah blog Block U and Georgia Tech blog From the Rumble Seat, plus SB Nation Atlanta and Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes.

Sun Bowl 2011 Halftime Score: Utah Takes 10-7 Lead Over Georgia Tech To Break

The 2011 Sun Bowl has been a match-up between two teams doing unusual things so far. The Utah Utes got a field goal late in the second quarter to take a 10-7 halftime lead.

Click here for live Sun Bowl stats and score updates.

The Utes got deep into Georgia Tech territory on a reverse to Reggie Dunn, but failed to turn it into more than three points despite advantageous position in the red zone. Jon Hays has 98 passing yards and a touchdown for Utah at halftime.

Georgia Tech's been able to do plenty of damage on the ground, rolling up 232 rushing yards before halftime. But despite Preston Lyons leading that charge with 130 yards and a touchdown, the Yellow Jackets haven't been able to pull ahead.

One lost fumble and a pair of missed Justin Moore field goals will do that.

For more on the Sun Bowl, visit Utah blog Block U and Georgia Tech blog From the Rumble Seat, plus SB Nation Atlanta and Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes.

2011 Sun Bowl Score Update: Airborne Utah Strikes Georgia Tech

So far, a Sun Bowl that was supposed to be decided on the ground has taken to the air. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets took to the skies on their first play, with a long Stephen Hill reception negated by a push-off call. The Utah Utes responded with aerial feats of their own, including a 35-yard catch by DeVonte Christopher and a 31-yarder to Luke Matthews, which set up a touchdown toss to Shawn Asiata.

Click here for live Sun Bowl stats and score updates.

It's 7-0, Utes.

Jon Hays is three-of-five for 67 yards already, with John White getting only two carries for six yards. The Jackets mustered a couple positive runs before punting the ball away, but will need urgent help from their defense to avoid having to play catch-up. They're not built for that, you see.

For more on the Sun Bowl, visit Utah blog Block U and Georgia Tech blog From the Rumble Seat, plus SB Nation Atlanta and Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes.

Georgia Tech Vs. Utah, Hyundai Sun Bowl 2011: Moving The Goalposts

Utah nearly won the weak Pac-12 South solely because of a stellar defense, a unit that will be exposed to the Flexbone for the first time all season. If they can slow down Tevin Washington and the Tech run game, they will have a chance, but the Utes' offense is likely incapable of winning a shootout.

Sun Bowl 2011, Georgia Tech Vs. Utah: Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More

Georgia Tech tries to snap a six game losing streak in bowl games as they face the Utah Utes in the 2011 Sun Bowl.

Sun Bowl 2011, Georgia Tech Vs. Utah: Run For The Sun

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Utah Utes will square off in the 77th Annual Sun Bowl game in El Paso, Texas this weekend.

Georgia Tech had a disappointing 2-4 finish to the season after a 6-0 start. In their last six games, the Yellow Jackets beat No.6 Clemson and Duke, but lost to Virginia, Miami-Florida, No.10 Virginia Tech, and No.13 Georgia. Georgia Tech will be looking to snap a streak of six consecutive losses in bowl games. Its streak of 15 consecutive bowl appearances is tied for fourth best in the nation. Paul Johnson is in his fourth year as head coach of the Yellow Jackets with a 34-18 record during his tenure.

Utah finished 7-5 after winning four of its last five down the stretch.The Utes went 3-0 against non-conference opponents and nearly won the Pac 12's South Division in its inaugural season in the newly expanded league. Utah is coached by Kyle Whittingham who has a 65-25 record with the program. The Utes are 12-5 in postseason play and had a nine-game bowl win streak snapped last year with a 26-3 loss to Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl. These programs have only faced off once before. Utah upset the 24th ranked Yellow Jackets 38-10 in the 2005 Emerald Bowl.

Georgia Tech's offense featured five different players that ranked in the top 20 in the ACC. The array of backs helped the Yellow Jackets gain 316.8 ypg on the ground, which led the ACC and was third best in the nation. Due to the exceptional rushing attack, Georgia Tech also led the ACC and had a national ranking in the top 20 in scoring offense (34.9 ppg) and total offense (459.6 ypg).

Quarterback Tevin Washington led the rushing attack for Georgia Tech with 890 yards and 14 touchdowns on 222 carries from the quarterback position. Washington had four 100-plus yard games during the regular season. David Sims and Orwin Smith both were the team's top tailbacks, as they rushed for over 600 yards each.

Utah's offense is not spectacular as it gained more than 400 yards just once and was held under 300 yards of total offense six times. The Utes' late season run at the Pac 12 title was in large part due to running back John White's emergence as an elite rusher. White is the 10th ranked rusher in the nation with 1,404 yards and 12 touchdowns on 290 carries.

Visit the official Sun Bowl site for more info. For more on the 2011 Sun Bowl, visit Georgia Tech blog From The Rumble Seat and Utah blog Block U.

Sun Bowl 2011: Game 'A Big Deal' For Georgia Tech

Some might consider the 2011 Sun Bowl a bit of a disappointment for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Utah Utes, both of whom have gotten used to playing in BCS bowls in recent seasons.

However, Tech is looking the game as a chance to end their up and down season on a positive note:

"I think this year, obviously, we’re disappointed with the way we finished, but I think overall we’ve had a pretty good season," A-back Roddy Jones said. "We have a chance to be a nine-win team and that’s not something people do on a regular basis. It’s a big deal."

The Yellow Jackets had their first on-site practice Tuesday morning and spent time at a local children's hospital as well.

Not too many Georgia Tech fans are following their team to El Paso. About 5,000 out-of-town visitors are expected for the game, down from the roughly 16,000 that came last year.

For more on the 2011 Sun Bowl, visit Georgia Tech blog From The Rumble Seat and Utah blog Block U.

Sun Bowl 2011: El Paso Affects Everyone Differently

Norm Chow Believed To Be Next Hawai'i Football Coach

Utah Utes offensive coordinator Norm Chow has interviewed for the vacant Hawai'i Warriors head coaching job, and word from the islands suggests he's the front-runner. According to beat writer Stephen Tsai, a decision could come soon after a meeting among Warriors VIPs.

Utah blog Block U is getting pretty nervous about all this:

Chow, along with Oregon State defensive coordinator Mark Banker, Texas defensive backs coach Duane Akina and Baylor safeties coach Brian Norwood, will have all interviewed by weekends end.

He's the first candidate to actually have two interviews and the first, according to Hawaii sources, went very well.

We'll keep an eye on this, but it appears it's very possible Chow leaves Utah if he's offered the Warriors' job and that is increasingly becoming a possibility.

This was Chow's first year at Utah after three years with the UCLA Bruins and a run with the Tennessee Titans. He's best known as being Pete Carroll's USC Trojans offensive coordinator until 2004.

For more on Chow, visit Utah blog Block U. For more college football, stick to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Sun Bowl 2011: Louis Young Suspended By Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson announced on Monday that starting cornerback Louis Young has been suspended for the Sun Bowl, and possibly beyond, for unspecified disciplinary reasons, Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

"We’ll see," Johnson said. "For now, he’s not eligible for the bowl game."

The 6-foot-1, 201-pound sophomore started all 12 games for the Yellow Jackets this season and was tied for fourth on the team with 52 tackles. Young picked up his first career interception in the Yellow Jackets' 31-17 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on November 26. Fellow sophomore Jemea Thomas is expected to replace Young in the starting lineup. Thomas had 42 tackles and tied for the team lead with three interceptions this season.

As Jonathan Tjarks at SB Nation Atlanta notes, the loss of Young for the bowl game may not be overly significant as the Utah Utes are a run-heavy team. On 742 offensive plays in 2011, Utah ran the ball 440 times, or 59.3 percent of the time.

For more on the 2011 Sun Bowl, visit Georgia Tech blog From The Rumble Seat and Utah blog Block U.

Kyle Whittingham Won't Be Leaving For Arizona State Or Elsewhere, According To Report

Utah Utes coach Kyle Whittingham, the coaching target du jour, is in line for a contract extension, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Whittingham had been a reported subject of interest from both the Penn St. Nittany Lions and Arizona St. Sun Devils over the weekend.

His new deal, according to the report, will pay him around $2 million per year, a raise from his $1.7 million mark (and a full half-mill more than Arizona State was paying Dennis Erickson). The deal's been agreed to for some time now, making the latest rush of rumors all the more fruitless.

In response to the contract news, Utes blog Block U has taken it down a notch to WHITCON 4:

For more on the parties involved, check out Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries and Arizona State blog House Of Sparky and Utah blog Block U. Here's our 2011 Coaching Carousel Tracker.

Sun Bowl 2011: Utah, Georgia Tech Set To Face Off In El Paso

According to the El Paso Times, this year's Sun Bowl looks to be set as the Utah Utes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are expected to accept invites on Sunday evening.

The Utes, who finished the regular season 7-5, shared an identical Pac-12 record with the Washington Huskies and the California Golden Bears, but lost the in-season matchup with Washington. They will square off against Georgia Tech, who finished the season with an overall 8-4 record.

The Sun Bowl was established in 1935 and has pitted a Pac-12 team against an ACC team since 2010.

Game date, time: 2:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011

Location: Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Tx.

TV channel: CBS

2010 winner and loser: Notre Dame def. Miami Hurricanes, 33-17

For more on each bowl game as it’s announced, stay tuned to SB Nation’s 2011 college football bowl game bids coverage. And visit our many college football blogs.