LITTLE ROCK — P O I N S E T T I A B O W L No. 23 Utah vs. California TIME/TV 7 p.m. Central, ESPN RECORDS Utah 9-3; California 8-4 LINE California by 3 SERIES RECORD California leads 4-2 LAST MEETING Sept. 11, 2003 (Utah won 31-24) WHAT’S AT STAKE Utah has won eight consecutive bowl games, best current streak in the country. The Poinsettia is a big step down for the Utes, who are coming off their second BCS appearance, a 31-17 victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Utah played in the Poinsettia Bowl two years ago, beating Navy 35-32. Cal is in a bowl for a school-record seventh consecutive season. The Golden Bears are making their third appearance in a San Diego bowl in six years, having played in the Holiday Bowl in 2004 and 2006.
KEY MATCHUP Cal offense vs. Utah defense. Sounds simple, but if Cal scores a lot of points, it should win. The Golden Bears have averaged 40.1 points in their eight victories while averaging only 7.5 points in their four losses. Cal has had more than 400 yards of offense seven times and been over 500 three times. Cal had blowout losses to Oregon (42-3), Southern Cal (30-3), Oregon State (31-14) and Washington (42-10).
PLAYERS TO WATCH Utah: QB Jordan Wynn. The true freshman is from nearby Oceanside, Calif., and has played high school championship games at Qualcomm Stadium. He graduated from high school last December and enrolled right away at Utah, allowing him to go through spring ball. He is 2-2 as the Utes’ starter. California: QB Kevin Riley. Cal’s fortunes ride with Riley. In the team’s eight victories, Riley has completed 129 of 20 passes (61.7 percent) for 1,899 yards and 15 TDs with 4 interceptions. In the four losses, Riley is 60 of 137 (43.8 percent) for 737 yards and 2 TDs with 2 interceptions.
FACTS AND FIGURES The teams haven’t played each other since Utah won 31-24 at Salt Lake City on Sept. 11, 2003. ... Cal has won five of its past seven games. ... Utah is 11-3 in bowl games.
Sports, Pages 22 on 12/23/2009