Utes ready for bowl game

Coaches pleased with preparation for tonight's game

SAN DIEGO — It's time.

After spending parts of four weeks preparing to face Navy's triple-option attack in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, Utah is ready to play some football.

The Utes (8-4) face the Midshipmen (8-4) tonight at Qualcomm Stadium.

"I think we're as ready as we're going to be," defensive coordinator Gary Andersen said. "It almost has a two-a-days, let's-go-play-a-game feel to it at this point. We need to go play this game.

"We've spent a lot of time preparing for it," he added. "And I'm sure Navy feels the same way."

Utah's bid for a seventh consecutive bowl victory comes with a terrific challenge. The Utes must find a way to slow Navy's rushing offense, which ranks No. 1 in the nation with 351.5 yards per game. The Midshipmen, who have won four straight games, average nearly 40 points per outing. They've punted the ball just 21 times this season.

"You've got to stay assignment sound and run to the football. That's the key in this game. They're a very potent offense. We all know that," Andersen said. "It's a huge challenge for us. But we're excited about the challenge."

After wrapping up practices Tuesday at the University of San Diego, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham praised his team's effort in getting ready for the game.

"We've had a lot of preparation time, but it still comes down to matching their execution and their precision with which they run the option attack at," he said. "We've just got to make plays. That's the bottom line."

It won't be easy.

Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada is a double-threat guy. The junior leads the Midshipmen with 830 yards passing and 782 rushing. He's had a hand in 17 touchdowns.

Another weapon to watch is Reggie Campbell. He's one of the nation's leaders in kick returns and all-purpose yardage.

The Utes are well aware of the Midshipmen's strengths. They've broken down the film and had double-digit practices to get ready.

A few days ago, Andersen told Whittingham that "no matter how we play, we're not going to get much better or much worse in the last couple of practices."

The Utes, he explained, have done a nice job in terms of preparation. Andersen proclaimed the team "fresh, clean and ready to run."

Determination and motivation are plentiful as Utah seeks to continue its 6-0 bowl roll.

"To get your seventh win in a row — it's a big accomplishment," cornerback Brice McCain said. "We're trying to do it and become one of the few to do it."

It's the second-longest active bowl streak in the nation. A win tonight would put them in a tie for first with Boston College. The 14th-ranked Eagles, who have won seven straight, face Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl later this month.

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