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 on Friday night to finish 13-0.
With the victory, Utah became the first team from a non-BCS conference to win two BCS bowls. The Utes beat Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl under coach Urban Meyer, going for his second BCS national title with Florida when his Gators play Oklahoma on Thursday.
Johnson’s pinpoint passing led Utah to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and the Utes refused to wilt when the Crimson Tide (12-2) pulled to 21-17 in the second half.
Utah’s defense was equally impressive, intercepting John Parker Wilson twice and sacking him eight times.
Mississippi 47, Texas Tech 34
DALLAS — No. 20 Mississippi overcame an early deficit to win 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 Jevan Snead led the Rebels to touchdowns on their next three drives.
Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell set the record for most career touchdowns in major college football (134) and became the first player with two 5,000-yard passing seasons.
Next year, the Cotton Bowl will be played in the $1.1 billion stadium being built by the Dallas Cowboys.
Kentucky 25, E. Carolina 19
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ventrell Jenkins scooped up a fumble and barreled 56 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the Liberty Bowl, helping Kentucky win a program-best third straight bowl game.
The Associated Press
