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Tide crashes hard in Sugar Bowl
Originally published 11:56 p.m., January 2, 2009
Updated 12:38 a.m., January 3, 2009
NEW ORLEANS – Nobody gave Utah a chance in Friday night’s Sugar Bowl, but Alabama found out right away that it didn’t matter what conference the Utes were in, they had come to play.
The only remaining unbeaten team in the country jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead before the Crimson Tide could even blink, and for the first time all year Alabama had to play catch up.
Rivals.com
Mountain of disappointment: Alabama defensive lineman Terrance Cody (62) walks dejectedly off the field Friday after the No. 4 Crimson Tide lost to No. 6 Utah, 31-17, in the Sugar Bowl.
Despite a comeback attempt led by the Tide’s defense and special teams, Utah hung on for a 31-17 win in front of 75,000 at the Superdome to remain perfect on the season.
On their first drive of the game, the Utes marched down the field and scored in just five plays. Quarterback Brian Johnson, who was a perfect 5-for-5 on the drive, found Brent Casteel on a seven-yard touchdown pass.
It didn’t take long for Utah’s offense to get back on the field after free safety Robert Johnson intercepted John Parker Wilson on the Tide’s second play of the drive.
Three plays later, David Reed made a leaping catch at the two-yard line for 30 yards to set up Matt Asiata’s two-yard touchdown run, making it 14-0. Asiata took the direct snap and ran straight in for the score.
For an Alabama team who had outscored their opponents 133-27 in the first quarter coming into the game, the Tide looked dumbfounded.
Utah’s offense kept up the attack on its next drive, going 65 yards on seven plays and scoring its third touchdown of the game. Johnson connected with Bradon Godfrey from 18 yards out for his second scoring strike of the game.
Johnson finished the game 27-of-41 for 336 yards and 3 touchdowns and was named the Sugar Bowl MVP.
The Alabama offense finally sustained a drive into Utah territory late in the first quarter but had to settle for a long field goal when Wilson was sacked on third down by Kenape Eliapo.
It was the fourth sack given up by the Tide in the first quarter alone, who clearly missed Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith.
Alabama also lost Smith’s replacement at left tackle, Mike Johnson, to an ankle injury during the first quarter. Drew Davis moved from right tackle over to left tackle and freshman John Michael Boswell took over at right tackle.
With the makeshift line playing all game, it was clear the Tide lacked the continuity it had on the line all year, giving up 7 sacks on the night. Linebacker Stevenson Sylvester recorded three sacks to lead the Utes.
Midway through the second quarter, Alabama desperately needed a spark and finally got one from return specialist Javier Arenas, who had come up with big plays all year for the Tide.
Arenas ran a Louie Sakoda punt back 73 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-10. Arenas looked like he was stopped at midfield but broke free and took it the distance, energizing the Alabama faithful.
For Arenas, it was his sixth punt return for a touchdown in his Alabama career, extending his own record. It was also the fourth-longest return by a Tide player in a bowl game.
In the second half, Alabama’s defense got the big play it was looking for when Utah’s Johnson fumbled on the first play and senior Bobby Greenwood recovered.
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower came through and knocked the ball out of Johnson’s hand as he was going to throw it.
The Tide offense responded with a seven-play, 30-yard drive, capped off by a four-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Glen Coffee to make it 21-17. Just like that, Alabama was right back in the game.
The momentum didn’t last long as Utah answered with a touchdown drive of their own to put the Utes back on top 28-17. On third and ten, Johnson hit Reed, who spun out of a tackle by Kareem Jackson and ran untouched into the end zone.
The touchdown was the knockout blow for the Tide, who never recovered. A missed field goal and a fumble by Wilson killed any chance of a comeback.
Utah tacked on a late field to make it 31-17 and hand Alabama its second straight loss to end the season. For Utah, it was their eighth straight bowl victory and the Utes became the first team from a non-BCS conference to win two BCS bowls.
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Comments
Posted by sagill88 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 1:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
congratulations to the "Utes"...a tribe of western american natives-or to be politically correct-"long-time immigrants" The University of Utah's football team (13-0) should be National Champs...we want a playoff (please) !!!
Posted by lkccameeks (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
it was nice to see the Bama Nation with their chins on the floor in shock. Congrats to the Utes!!!
Posted by kdnichols (Ken Nichols) on January 3, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alabama indeed got an --- whopping last night. Utah came
to play. Kwsrgraves, do you ever post anything positive
about anything? Why don't you discuss how Aubarn got their
--- whopped all season long? Aubarn better get use to
getting whopped allot. Remember 36-0 numnuts!!!
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Auburn fans don't go around with their bottom lips hanging every time they lose, kd. We know what happened to Auburn last year. It's a done deal and we're looking forward. Ya'll can use Smith as the reason for your loss till the cows come home. Just an excuse. Ya'll would have got the same butt-whoopin' if Andre HAD been there. Bamer got THEIR butt's whooped, fair and square ... TWICE in a row! That's just a taste of things to come, so get use to it.
Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Utes had a great game plan! Dump the ball over the d-line. T. Cody was sucking wind all night long. Maybe 375 lbs. is just a tad too big! And why couldnt Bama figure out that Utah was going to pass the ball nearly every down? Bama should have powered down and ran, ran, ran!!!
Posted by hurricanekelli (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bet that EVERYONE that had a negative comment is an AU fan.. Lets remember that it is a game.. Yea thats RIGHT a GAME!!!!! AU fans seem to be the sorest losers of them all. I seem to remember a disappointing season for AU and I am sure that Alabama will find one in the future at some time.. How about a congrats for BOTH team for making it as far as they did.
Posted by JDCUMMIN (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hurricane........Lets not forget that both sides are that way. I remember reading all the negative comments by UA fans when Gene Chisik was hired. You are right, its just a game and we need to act like grown ups. But,unfortunately we have childish fans everywhere. AU & UA fans alike!!!!.
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To all of my fellow Tide fans, Get over it and stop making excuses. Andre does not play on defense and they still put up 31 points. It's gonna happen sometimes.
Congratulate your opponent for playing a great game.Be proud of our team for having a great season, and move on. I never in a million years thought Bama would make it this far this year.
Sorry guys, But I can't stand all this finger pointing and excuses. The fact is, Bama was out played, and out coached last night.
Roll Tide!!
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on January 3, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now why did ya'll have to get vampire all worked up?
Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
-Posted by vampire (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 4:19 p.m.
That's because the sting of losing over and over has made you numb.-
Yeah, i guess winning 6 straight over Alabama, pulling off the undefeated season Alabama couldnt do, and winning the last time we were at the Sugar Bowl makes us real numb...
Bad games like this is when you see who are the true fans, and who just jumps on the bandwagon when it's going good.
Hurricane, the first one on this site with a negative comment was this "supposed" bama fan, vampire.
He should really learn to SUPPORT his own team, win or loss, before trashing Another.
Posted by rmims404 (Roger Mims) on January 3, 2009 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a lifelong Bama fan and I realized after about 10 minutes of the Sugar Bowl that we (as in Bama) did not take Utah seriously. The Bama defense must have partied and patted each other on the back and said 'ata boy-the whole week. The offense wasn't much better. We got a good ole country boy butt kickin' at the hands of a Utah team that is for real. I remain an Alabama Crimson Tide fan even through games like this. A 12-0 regular season was totally unexpected. I would have been happy with 9-3. I wish Auburn the best next year until they play Bama. Then I will have to pull for the Tide. Let's all pull together and cheer for The Florida Gators and hope they send the Oklahoma Boys back where they belong with a sound thrashing. Go SEC!!!!
Posted by heathermc (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah but bama winning 10 in a row 2 times against au is really the numbing cream on their gums. 6 ain't s... as for the game i hate it but it is a game, i blame wilson(mostly cuz it is usually his fault) , he freaking sucks, always has and always will. I for 1 am thrilled it was his last year and pray we can get a good qb next year. Bama wasn't there to play ball and Utah was that is all you can say. If Bama had went ready to play it could have been a good game but when it is all on the line, wilson throws interceptions. maybe next year, anyways, ROLL TIDE
Posted by hurricanekelli (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Uhh.. People it is a GAME.. Say good game. Shake hands and watch another game.. THE END
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
heather, keep guzzlin' that Bud.
Posted by kdnichols (Ken Nichols) on January 3, 2009 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Eagle1 Where in my previous post did I say
anything about Andre Smith? I think my first
statement was "Alabama indeed got an --- whopping
last night. Utah came to play." Where did I make any
excuses. And yes Aubarn beat us 6 years running.
I'm sure it had nothing to do with probation, lack
of scholarships, and all the Coach changes. Enjoy
your 6 year glory because there's a new sheriff in
town. "Kd, nothing positive about the sacred cow in t-town.
Nothing positive about the sacred buzzard in Aubarn.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kd, I didn't state that you said anything about Andre Smith, but if you want to take the heat, be my guest. Auburn gave Bamer a little win in the Tidy Bowl last year, but it was just a taste. Enjoy it, cuz The Tigers are gonna start opening the "whoop arse" can on Bamer again starting this year! WAR EAGLE! OH!, and as for the toilet paper, ya'll need to start stock-piling it before this year's "game on the Plain's" cuz there won't be enough of it in Auburn to wipe the Bamer Nation's tears or butts!
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I googled eagle1 and found his picture..... Scary dude!! LOL
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h281/N...
Roll Tide!!!
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I made a lot of money off that picture, bama. Mainly from bama fans! :)
Posted by Tommy (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
8 million dollars and NO national championships, NO SEC championships and NO sugar bowl victory. I thought LORD Saban was hired to win championships.
Posted by kdnichols (Ken Nichols) on January 5, 2009 at 5:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Tommy. You talking about Aubarn?
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Every one of you Sabanites thought it was gonna happen in 2 years. And most thought it was gonna happen the 1st year, especially the crazy woman who was kissing his feet at the airport when he first arrived. Ya'll were all over the news on all channels hollerin "number 1" instead of acting decent and thankful you finally got a coach that might stay. Course, who wouldn't if you're giving them a blank check. That is crazy!
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When Nick Saban, after the SEC Championship and on national TV, practically rolled his eyes and said something along the lines of "Now we get to go play Utah" the game was over. How can you expect a team to take an opponent seriously when their head coach can't?
Posted by clantonman1983 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vampire, Did anyone think any championships were going to happen in Saban's second year?!?!?!? YOU and any other Bama fan i spoke to thought so.... HAHAHAHAHAHA so, I guess we are back to the "process" now right?
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah vamp! So there! Thhhtttt!
Posted by Tommy (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm just saying if you pay a guy 4 million a year you at least expect him to beat UTAH. When he was hired all the Bammers on sports talk radio were saying 2 to 3 years. NOW all you can hear is that his 3rd year is going to be rocky because of new QB, and we all see how big of an impact Andre had (and he is leaving).
KD you must be out of touch with reality, you must not know that King Saban gets 4 million a year and he just completed his 2nd year (4 X 2 = 8)
Alabama hired Saban because he could win Championships, it was there for him and HE CHOKED!!!
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All of you griping on BOTH sides, remember these points.
Alabama fans... we had twelve wins, more than 112 other top tier teams. Stop the complaining and be happy. No team can win every game, every season.
Auburn fans... each team has their ups and downs. We are back to winning now, and you will be. If not this coming season then soon.
We both have teams to be proud of and traditions we can take great joy in. Act like grownups and quit embarrassing your teams!
Posted by Tommy (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All this back and forth is what makes this the best rivalry in the nation.
I admit it is a lot more interesting when both teams do well.
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Delusional Obsessed Barn Rats.... Always infatuated with what goes on in Tuscaloosa. Got a team that went 5-7 and still worried about Bama.
Tommy, Auburn wouldn't know what a National Championship was if it hit them between the eyes. So using your Barn Logic, I guess Auburn has been CHOKING for 115 years. I'm sure you all went down and rolled Tumors corner after the game on Friday celebrating Bama's loss. As long as The Tide loses, you could care less about your own sorry team.
By the way Tommy, Saban made 8 million over the last two years. That clown Jacobs paid Tubbs 6 million to leave!
It just seems stupid to me that you Barners come in here and trash a coach, and a team that beat you down 36-0!
SpreagleHay!!
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I see that the 6 year beating Auburn gave to Bama has made you delirious, bama. Suck it up and get ready for another butt-whoopin come this November. HA HA HA HA HA!!
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Eagle1, I see you did not question ANY of the points mentioned in my previous post. That proves my point. All you can come up with is the barns 6 game winning streak that came to an abrupt halt. That's all you have, That is your only claim to fame. Other than throwing chit paper at an old dead tree that is your tradition.
I'd much rather be delirious than delusional.
Thannks for playing!
WeagleHay!!
Posted by Tommy (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
5.08 mil to leave thank you. Get your facts right, oh yea you still have on those crimson colored glasses. 1957 has been in the last 115 years but that is to be expected from someone who claims 12 fairy tale national championships.
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Facts are something you wouldn't know anything about. Didn't Russia launch Sputnik in *1957? I guess that over shadowed the Barns only National Championship.
Here are some more facts for you.
What do Camp Griffin, Centre High School, Davidson, George Washington, Georgia Navy P-F, Manhattan, Maxwell Field, Memphis, Santa Clara, Sewanee, SMU and Vanderbilt have in common? Auburn has an ALL TIME losing record against each of these teams. I’m not sure which is worse, CENTRE HIGH SCHOOL or Vanderbilt.
Posted by alwaysright (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 1:42 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What's with all the hate? So tell me this - being from another state (transplanted 20 years ago), I've never really understood why Auburn gets ridiculed for being an agricultural school when there is a definite socioeconomic line between what I perceive to be your average Bama fan and your average Auburn fan. I mean seriously, you see a jacked up pickup, rebel flag, Copenhagen cans, trailer park, mullet - I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts you've got a Crimson Tide fan and not an Auburn fan. Go through a middle class neighborhood, SUV's, lower end luxury cars, etc. and chances are you'll find more Auburn fans. And yeah, every Bama fan I know will start to list exceptions, but seriously, cruise through a rural Chilton county trailer park this afternoon, count the Alabama flags and stickers and the Auburn flags and stickers, see what you come up with. Maybe I'm wrong.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Next year alwaysright? You're gettin' yours this year. It's 2009, remember, or did that Ute kick you in the head a few too many times. You can always tell who's a Bama fan in a crowd. They have a squirrely-lookin' "A" on their hats, they have their hands locked in prayer whenever they see a picture of Saban, and all their butts are draggin the ground since the Gators and Utes opened a can of whoop-arse. Oh, and all this hounds tooth crap on clothes and hats is a little bit girly! Still can't let the Bear rest in peace. Gotta hold on to him like a pacifier when your little feelings get hurt.
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ouch. I also find the whole Bear Bryant thing a little weird and always have. Other teams have had legendary coaches and I don't think I've ever heard of them holding up images of their deceased legends like some kind of talisman. Grew up around more Notre Dame fans then I could ever care to recall (the big reason I can't stand ND today) and never saw any of them dressed up like Knute Rockne or wearing shirts with his image.
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eagle1, With all due respect, Your'e an idiot. I just read through all of these posts and you are the only one that mentions Coach Bryant. You are reaching my friend.
I challenge you on fifteen facts and all you can do is bring up the Bear. Unless you can do better than this I recommend you give it up. Your flaming abilities are proving your ignorance.
8 million dollars + 2 years = Auburn Irrelevance
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone has to bring ya'll down to earth, bama. Get a life! Oh, and I do apologize for all of my previous remarks and I am an idiot. I hope that makes you feel better. Of course, your posts contain good tidings for all Auburn fans and they don't degrade anyone's opinions.
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So REK, If you see a confederate flag, a can of Copenhagen, or a trailer park, You assume those are all Bama fans right?
And when you see a nice SUV, or perhaps a BMW you assume they are Auburn fans.
Well, I guess I better git me some of them rebel flags and put me some tobaccy juice on the side of my car so you all won't think I'm a Barn Rat!
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on January 5, 2009 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
REK, come to think of it, you're right.
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm just noting an observation, that's all. It seems funny that Alabama fans pick at Auburn for being rural (in fact, Auburn is an agricultural school) when it seems that most "rural" people (okay, rednecks) seem to favor Bama. Am I wrong? Seriously!
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on January 5, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That's what I see, too. I think it could have something to do with the crimson and white matching the red and white on the Budweiser cans.
Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
REK, I completely agree with your assessment. I'm a transplant here and laugh at some of the diehard Bama fans who have never even set foot on a college campus. The Tide does fit in more with Redneck culture. But beyond that, I did pull for Alabama to win. What a disappointment!
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Speaking of redneck culture. Enjoy!
http://www.tolerance.org/news/feature/au...
Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dude, that was a classic!! I never put the Bud colors together before with Bama. But actually, Natural Lite is the Redneck beer of choice.
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on January 5, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Milwaukee's Best runs a close 2nd with a pack of red hot sausages. At least that's what I see most of the time on the SIDE OF THE ROAD!
Posted by gkeys (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hook 'em horns! No, not a Texas fan, I am from Chilton County for crying out loud! I am watching the game and just can't stand Ohio State...had to spend 6 months in Columbus, Ohio opening a facility. Even just being out in public there, they are SO RUDE. Texas on the other hand, spent 3 months in Austin, some of the friendliest people I have ever met. Highly recommend to anyone traveling to Austin between the months of March and October to go stand on the Congress Avenue Bridge around sunset. There are over a million Mexican Free-tail bats that will fly out from under that bridge, it is an awesome sight :-)
Posted by chiltonisgodscountry (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Probably the reason you see Tide flags and "squirrely" A's everywhere is probably because the Tide enjoys a larger fan base than Auburn.
(Notice the endcaps and displays of Tide and Tigers at local stores-- almost always there are more unsold orange and blue items than Crimson and White.)
You can stop anywhere in the country and find a TIDE fan...but there are parts of America where Auburn is unheard of. The association of rednecks to only the Tide is a stretch---remember people- our state is next door to Mississippi and Louisiana-the a**hole of America- the entire rest of the U.S. thinks we ARE Rebel flag waving, gun totin', tobacco spittin' mud ridin' rednecks-- which is fine with me- maybe people will quit moving here. You see all the time where people are moving in from the north- all to enjoy a lower cost of living and cheaper property taxes. Also, the thing about The BEAR is o.k.- he is revered and remembered and immortalized. While he was coach the Tide enjoyed almost a 20 year (1963-1982) win streak at home (Tuscaloosa)- can you imagine going to a home game for TWENTY years and never losing....probably not...it won't happen again anywhere.... also read this: Alabama is the NCAA’s all-time leader in bowl-game appearances with 56
No one should be ashamed of the Tide nor should anyone think about bashing the football program--fact is no other team- including Auburn- will probably enjoy the same accolades as the Tide has during our lifetime.
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